2025 Election Guide
The voice of progressives in
every town in America
every town in America
ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore on July 22 joined advanced materials company Liatris for the ribbon cutting at its expanded pilot manufacturing facility in Rockville. The project is expected to create 15 direct skilled and semi-skilled jobs and more than 100 indirect and induced jobs, and will generate more than $20 million in economic impact over the next three years in the Rockville area.
“Liatris is redefining what it means to build efficiently, affordably, and sustainably,” said Gov. Moore. “Today, we are joined by leaders at all levels of the state, who have proudly invested not just in the success of Liatris, but an ecosystem of innovators. Because when you invest in innovation, you invest in growth.”
Headquartered in Rockville’s TwinLabs light manufacturing and research complex, Liatris is a leader in cutting-edge thermal insulation solutions that save energy and enhance the affordability, comfort and safety of buildings. Liatris is adding 4,000 square feet of lab space to its existing 5,000 square foot headquarters, allowing the company to produce their first commercial scale insulation products at industry-best performance levels. Liatris’ first two products are planned to reach pilot production in 2026.
The project is supported by an $800,000 grant made possible through the Build Our Future Program administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce. Part of the governor’s Innovation? Economy Infrastructure Act of 2023, the program provides grants of up to $2 million to private companies, nonprofit entities, local governments, or colleges and universities. The grant awarded to Liatris is part of more than $1 million in state and local support for capital investments that will enable Liatris to expand its presence in Rockville.
“On top of the economic impact and the job creation that Liatris' new facility will have on the region, the company is creating a product that embodies less carbon and supports Maryland’s push for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “Maryland’s investment in this project is far from an investment in a single company. It’s an investment in a bolder, cleaner, more equitable, and more prosperous future.”
“We’re proud to support Liatris and their green innovative building insulation technology with both a MOVE and a Technology Innovation grant,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. “With our support, manufacturing is growing here in Montgomery County. As Liatris transitions from R&D to early-stage manufacturing, they’ve already hired 16 employees. Soon, they will scale their manufacturing operations, creating more jobs and better quality, more affordable insulation materials for builders here and around the world.”
Before the ribbon cutting, the governor joined Liatris on a tour of their expanded lab space, which will help Liatris compete with larger distributors by producing successful insulation prototypes more efficiently. Products slated for commercial distribution include the first non-combustible? R-5/inch insulation board, and the R-10/inch “super-insulation” mat — the highest-performance building insulation on the market.
“We are incredibly excited and honored to receive this strategic funding support from the Maryland Department of Commerce, which helps address the critical market need for advanced insulation while adding skilled jobs to a key strategic industry in Maryland,” said Liatris President and Chief Executive Officer Frank Yang. “The comprehensive and robust support provided by the state and county made it an easy decision to expand locally in Rockville, and we are proud to continue our commercialization journey here.”
“We are proud to officially welcome Liatris Inc. and its Super Innovation Prototype Center to the Rockville region, home to 120 tech and science companies,” said Rockville Mayor Monique Ashton. “We are committed to growing the sustainability sector to help address climate change, reduce greenhouse gases, and effectively manage resources. We are deeply grateful to Montgomery County, the Maryland Department of Commerce, and Governor Moore for their collaborative efforts to grow our green economy and technology sector with sustainable innovations to power the future.”
“What a thrill for Maryland to be the home of such vitally important, cutting-edge technology,” said Senator Cheryl C. Kagan. “This new facility was made possible through the Build Our Future grant, enabling Liatris to expand in Rockville and create skilled local jobs. While we urgently address the Climate Crisis, companies like Liatris will surely be part of the solution.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Liatris Lab's new Super Insulation Prototype Center to the heart of the I-270 technology corridor here in Rockville,” said Delegate Ryan Spiegel. “Once again, state and local government are teaming with our innovative business partners here in Maryland's 17th District, and proving that job creation and economic development go hand in hand with investments in clean tech and energy efficiency, for the betterment of our community and the entire world.”
“Congratulations to Liatris on the grand opening of its Super Insulation Prototype Center,” said Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation Board Chair Elana Fine. “Liatris' groundbreaking work in producing next-generation insulation materials reflects the kind of innovation that supports Montgomery County's broader goal of eliminating 100 percent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. We’re proud to have worked with their team on securing a MOVE Grant to support this expansion and we are excited to see their continued success right here in Rockville.”