Associated Press - November 10, 2009 8:34 AM ET

PORT ALLEN, La. (AP) - Criterion Catalysts, which forecasts hiring 90 people at its Port Allen facility, will shift production from a California facility when the Louisiana site begins full production next year.

It's an expansion of a project that has continued to grow since the Houston-based company bought the former Alcoa site for $18 million more than two years ago.

Then, Criterion forecast a $150 million project that would reconfigure the site for making catalysts that help refineries break down crude oil and remove heavy metals for cleaner-burning fuel.

While demand for the catalysts continues to grow, the growth rate has slowed. Company officials told The Advocate that development made concentrating more assets in an integrated Port Allen facility cost-effective for Criterion Catalysts & Technologies LP.

Information from: The Advocate, http://www.2theadvocate.com

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