Chemicals

A Leading Chemicals Manufacturer
Vulcan Chemicals is a technology leader in chlorine chemistry and its application to modern, healthy living. Applications range from chemical processing, food processing and water management to the production of pharmaceuticals, polymers, refrigerants, foam-blowing agents, textiles and pulp and paper.

Vulcan Chemicals operates chloralkali manufacturing facilities in Geismar, Louisiana, Port Edwards, Wisconsin, and Wichita, Kansas. Our Geismar operation includes a joint venture with Mitsui & Co., for the manufacture of chlorine, caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC). The joint venture combines Vulcan’s manufacturing and marketing expertise with Mitsui’s access to global EDC markets.

In 2002, we began producing HCC-240fa at a new world-class plant at Geismar. HCC-240fa is a feedstock used to make fluorocarbons. These compounds are replacing hydrochlorofluorocarbons, which may impact the earth’s protective ozone layer.

We sell chloralkali products to the chemical processing industry, which serves companies producing organic and inorganic chemical intermediates and finished products. We are a leading supplier of perchloroethylene, chloroform, methylene chloride and methyl chloroform. Customers use these products as raw materials to manufacture refrigerants for commercial, residential, industrial and automotive use. Vulcan also sells potassium chemicals to agricultural and industrial markets, for use in de-icing and in glass manufacturing for television and computer screens. We supply methyl chloride primarily to the silicones and agricultural markets.

The energy industry uses our hydrochloric acid and caustic soda for oil-well stimulation and gas extraction. Our caustic soda also helps electrical energy facilities eliminate minerals from water in steam production and remove sulfur from gas and coal. Food processing and pharmaceutical production continues to provide stable, long-term demand for hydrochloric acid, methylene chloride, caustic soda and caustic potash (potassium hydroxide). Paper mills use caustic soda in the pulping process. Manufacturers of soaps and detergents use caustic soda and caustic potash. Water and sewage treatment facilities use our chlorine in their purification processes. The utility industry uses pentachlorophenol as a wood preservative to extend the life of utility poles.

In addition, we are the primary producer of sodium chlorite in North America. Applications include air scrubbing, the treatment of drinking water and industrial water, and the manufacture of electronics, paper and textiles.