Vertellus doubles alkane capacity at Michigan site

Vertellus, a global manufacturer of fine and specialty chemicals, has doubled alkane production capacity at its Zeeland hydrogenation plant in Michigan, the company announced on Friday. 

The company says it has invested in leading edge production equipment and infrastructure improvements that boost alkane production capacity 100% above prior levels. 

Vertellus expects alkanes to be one of several innovative chemistries supplying a phase change material (PCM) market anticipated to exceed $100 million by 2020.

Vertellus CEO Rich Preziotti said his company is investing in new technologies that expand its product offerings and leverage production resources. 

“As an emerging market for PCMs, including alkanes and proprietary chemistries continues to grow, Vertellus’ product pipeline and plant locations are well positioned to cost-effectively meet the needs of customers around the globe,” Preziotti said.

The capacity expansion in Zeeland follows Vertellus’ recent acquisition of Pentagon Chemicals in the UK and Dow Chemical’s sodium borohydride (SBH) business. “As we integrate new assets, we continue to identify opportunities for our existing facilities to meet demand for specialized chemistries, including alkanes,” Preziotti said.

North America’s competitive feedstock costs resulting from low natural gas prices are helping drive Vertellus’ alkane production efficiencies, the company said. Vertellus initiated the Zeeland upgrades in 2014, the same year it commercialized hexadecane (A16T). 

With added alkane production capacity in place, Vertellus says it will develop eicosane (A20T) in its 2015 pipeline. Octadecane (A18T) represents the company’s largest category of alkane production due to its ability to absorb and release heat close to the human body temperature. Vertellus also offers specialized chemistries and high-purity grades.

Ami El Agizy, global product manager at Vertellus, said the company’s value proposition in the alkane market is based on providing the greatest amount of energy (latent heat) per gram delivered per cost of PCM material. 

“The Zeeland facility’s expanded production capacity positions Vertellus to serve as a high-volume, low-cost supplier of alkanes to customers in several industries including bedding, textiles and construction,” El Agizy said.