Katoen Natie Norfolk to add Virginia warehouse, rail facility

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Tuesday announced that Katoen Natie Norfolk Inc. will invest $61 million to expand its freight distribution center in Norfolk.

The plastics and polymers warehousing and distribution company will add a 243,000-square-foot warehouse and rail facility to its operation and create 35 new jobs.

"Katoen Natie chose to expand its footprint in Norfolk because of proximity to the natural deep-water Port of Virginia, the dual rail connection with both Norfolk Southern and CSX, and a great local workforce," Katoen Natie USA President Frank Vingerhoets said in a press release.

Katoen Natie Norfolk’s operation was established in 2011 at a former Ford Motor Co. assembly plant. The facilities enable producers of plastic resin pellets to ship bulk rail cars to the warehouse where the product is packaged and loaded into intermodal containers for shipment internationally through the Port of Virginia.