Elin Energy and NanoTech Materials, Inc. brought new manufacturing facilities and could add hundreds of potential future job opportunities to Katy-area residents.

The details

1. Elin Energy

Elin Energy, a Turkish-based solar panel company, brought its first industrial complex to the U.S., finding its home in Twinwood Business Park in Waller County.

The new 225,000-square-foot solar panel assembly facility has the capacity to manufacture more than 2,000 megawatts annually, featuring two solar panel assembly lines, according to a March 28 news release.


Production at the new facility began with more than 100 associates, though company officials said they hope to ramp up over the next two years to accommodate up to 500 employees, said Ercan Kalafat, CEO of Sirius PV USA, Elin’s U.S. subsidiary.2. NanoTech Materials, Inc.

NanoTech Materials, Inc. relocated from North Houston to a new Katy facility, bringing increased space and production capacity. The company works to create climate-resilient products, including roof coatings for buildings and vehicles, fireproof paint to protect infrastructure from wildfires, and specialized ceramics to contain heat in industrial settings.

The 42,545-square-foot facility provides four times the production floor area and more than double the office space than its previous space, according to an April 15 news release.

“As we transition to our new facility in Katy, our vision extends beyond physical expansion; it underscores our commitment to a sustainable future,” said Mike Francis, co-founder and CEO of NanoTech Materials, Inc., in a news release. “Our journey from a small two-car garage to this cutting-edge facility isn’t just about NanoTech; it’s a testament to the growing Houston innovation ecosystem, facilitating the growth of businesses like ours.”


The start-up was previously housed in Halliburton Labs at 3000 N. Sam Houston Parkway E., Houston, according to the April 15 news release. The facility hosts 24 employees with hiring ramping up through 2024, though it was not specified exactly how many positions that will entail.