Unifrax plans to move its corporate headquarters from Niagara Falls to the Riverview Solar Technology Park in the Town of Tonawanda early next year.

The maker of high-temperature insulation products will have 96 jobs at the Riverview location, off River Road near the Grand Island bridges.

Unifrax plans to move in the first quarter of 2012, and expects to add 15 new jobs in the next two years, according to TM Montante, Riverview's developer.

Unifrax will use 44,000 square feet at 600 Riverwalk Parkway. The space will include a research and development lab, as well as office space.

TM Montante in December will begin installing a solar array on the roof of the new Unifrax facility that is expected to generate more than 100,000 kilowatts of solar power annually. The developer will provide the system's energy to Unifrax at a discounted rate, as part of its Riverview Incentive for Solar Energy program. Unifrax said the discounted solar energy "played an important role" in its decision to move into the business park.

As part of the transaction, TM Montante will acquire Unifrax's 33,000 square foot office facility in Niagara Falls, across from the entrance to the Whirlpool Bridge.

"(TM Montante) is working with local businesses and officials seeking a reuse that best serves the community," TM Montante said in a statement. "Preliminary plans are being drawn up for the redevelopment of this site."

mglynn@buffnews.comnull