‘World-Class’ Pigments Plant Launches
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2016
A color pigments facility, described as a showcase for world-class pigments manufacturing technology, is starting operations in the southeast United States, according to global consumer and industrial chemical manufacturer Huntsman Corporation.
The new production plant, sited in Augusta, GA, is the first of its kind to be built in North America in more than 35 years, The Woodlands, TX-based company said in its announcement Monday (May 23).
The facility represents an investment of more than $172 million and reportedly has the capacity to produce 30,000 metric tons of yellow, red and black iron oxide pigments annually.
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| Photos: Huntsman Corporation |
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Huntsman’s new color pigments facility in Augusta, GA, reportedly has the capacity to produce 30,000 metric tons of yellow, red and black iron oxide pigments annually. |
The new site will serve as the North American hub for Huntsman’s global pigments and additives business, which employs more than 4,500 people worldwide, the company says.
Automation, Sustainability
“After years of hard work on site it is incredibly satisfying to see our new pigments plant up and running,” says Jan Buberl, vice president sales and marketing, Color Pigments and Timber Treatment, at Huntsman.
The new production center, featuring a high level of automation in process operations and in packaging, represents a step change in iron oxide manufacturing, the company says.
The facility is also said to be innovative in its use of raw materials and “improves the environmental footprint of our supply chain,” according to Buberl.
With sustainability high on Huntsman’s corporate agenda, the site’s raw material supply chain is closely integrated with Huntsman’s wider pigments and additives business, enabling the company to use iron sources obtained from waste streams at other plants as inputs at the Augusta site.
Careful infrastructure and asset planning has also eliminated a drying step that is normally present at a standalone pigments production plant, the company notes.
“Our new facility in Augusta increases our global manufacturing base and will enable us to better meet the needs of customers across the Americas,” Buberl adds. “Producing product closer to their operations means we can offer better delivery times and greater security of supply.”
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Huntsman's color pigments are used in a range of familiar items, including paints, inks, concrete, plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and even food. |
Huntsman has recruited more than 100 people to work at its new pigments plant. Together, the team will keep the plant running 24/7, the company says.
Third-Party Input
Huntsman acknowledges that several external organizations, which participated in the project through input and support, helped to make the new color pigments plant a reality.
Those third-party organizations involved in the development of the new facility included the City of Augusta; Richmond Economic Development Authority; Georgia Department of Economic Development; Georgia Environmental Protection Division; Augusta Utility Department; Georgia Department of Transportation; Georgia Department of Labor; Georgia QuickStart; and Augusta Technical College.
About Huntsman
Huntsman, which has its corporate offices in The Woodlands and its executive offices in Salt Lake City, identifies itself as one of the most diversified producers of pigments and additives in the world.
Its chemical products reportedly number in the thousands and are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets.
Its color pigments are used in a range of familiar items, including paints, inks, concrete, plastics, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and even food.
The publicly traded manufacturer reports 2015 revenues of approximately $10 billion. With a team of approximately 15,000 employees, it operates more than 100 manufacturing and research and development facilities in about 30 countries.
Tagged categories: Coating chemistry; Coating Materials; Coatings raw materials manufacturers; Huntsman; Iron oxide pigments; Pigments; Raw materials; Research and development; Sustainability
