Clariant, a global specialty chemical company, announced this week it is growing its Woodlands office operation from two small facilities to a pair of newly constructed offices.

Robin McClure, vice president and head of oil and gas services in North America, said Clariant will break ground on new headquarters for its oil and mining services in early September. The headquarters will include two identical 32,000-square-foot buildings located at 2725 and 2750 Technology Forest Blvd., in the Black Forest Technology Park.

"The Woodlands is definitely the center of most oil and gas operations, and it was important for us to be close to our client base," McClure said.

The new buildings will house more than 100 offices, as well as state-of-the-art laboratories and a technology center. McClure said Clariant employees will begin relocating about 40 employees next year and will double its workforce by 2015.

"We looked at variety of options and the [planned location] offered us the greatest chance of success for our growth aspirations," McClure said.

With 22,000 worldwide employees, offices in 100 countries and its corporate headquarters based in Switzerland, McClure said it was important for Clariant's Houston-area headquarters to be near an airport, in this case Houston Intercontinental Airport.

"That access allows for us to travel quickly and safely our client base within in North America and globally," he said.