(New Carlisle, IN) - A New Carlisle manufacturing company broke ground Friday on a new facility.

Unifrax announced in June that it would begin production on a new line of battery charging components. Company leaders say the brand new technology, labeled Silicon Fiber Anode Battery Technology (SiFAB), will allow many kinds of rechargeable batteries to charge faster and last longer. A cell phone charger, for example, that currently lasts a day may last a week with new SiFAB components.

The new facility will create at least 20 jobs by the end of next year, with an addition of about 50 more jobs the following year.

Unifrax produces specialty materials that help save energy, reduce pollution, and improve safety. The company employs over 2,700 people in 37 locations across 12 countries.