Augusta economic development officials said Wednesday that life sciences firm Royal DSM will build a new manufacturing facility in the East Georgia city and create 20 direct jobs.

The high-tech polymerization plant will make materials for films used in flexible food packages and for other uses, according to a news release. DSM will invest $85 million in the facility, said Walter Sprouse, the executive director of the Augusta Economic Development Authority.

The project will be built next to DSM’s existing Augusta plastics plant. The new plant is expected to be finished in mid-2016.