U.S.-based Albemarle Corp. announced that it will relocate its corporate headquarters and its Performance Chemicals business from Baton Rouge, La. to Charlotte, N.C. In addition, it will relocate Baton Rouge employees in its Refining Solutions business to its existing Clear Lake, Texas office.

Approximately 120 of the company’s employees will be relocated to Charlotte and Clear Lake, with the majority of the relocations expected to take place in June 2016.

“As we look at the ever increasing demands for communication, collaboration and mobility for our employees and our customers, Charlotte is the best strategic location to base the new Albemarle,” said Luke Kissam, Albemarle president and chief executive officer. “Located approximately 35 miles from our state-of-the-art lithium facility in Kings Mountain, metropolitan Charlotte provides easy and fast connectivity with customers and colleagues, fostering a collaborative environment and culture for our team. We look forward to expanding our presence in North Carolina becoming an even more significant partner in the communities where we live and operate.”

Meanwhile, its Refining Solutions team will be strategically placed amidst its customers and partners in the Houston area, a major hub of the U.S. refining industry, he said, “creating a more collaborative environment for them to serve our customers.”

Baton Rouge will continue to be home to the company’s R&D and manufacturing operations at its Process Development Center and several functional and support operations at its current downtown office.

The move follows the company’s transformational USD 5.7 billion acquisition of Rockwood Holdings, Inc. in January. The company nearly doubled in size and significantly increased its global presence, now employing approximately 6,900 people and serving customers in approximately 100 countries.

Albemarle is a premier specialty chemicals company with leading positions in attractive end markets around the world. With a broad customer reach and diverse end markets, Albemarle develops, manufactures and markets technologically advanced and high value added products, including lithium and lithium compounds, bromine and bromine derivatives, catalysts and surface treatment chemistries used in a wide range of applications including consumer electronics, flame retardants, metal processing, plastics, contemporary and alternative transportation vehicles, refining, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, construction and custom chemistry services.