August 23, 2007

Vertellus Specialties completes major expansion of pyridine production facility

Press release
 

Vertellus Specialties Inc., a leading US specialty chemicals company, announced Aug 20 that it has completed a major expansion of its pyridine/picolines production facility in Indianapolis, Indiana.

A new reactor system, which was installed in July and successfully up and running in early August, will allow a 30 to 35 percent increase in the production of pyridine and picolines with improved operating efficiencies, the company said.

Vertellus' Indianapolis facility is the world's largest production site for pyridine, picolines, cyanopyridines and vinylpyridines. The new state-of-the-art reactor system utilises proprietary technology that enhances this integrated production site.

According to Vertellus, the increased production capacity and efficiency will positively impact all downstream chemistries at the site. This is the final stage of the company's facility expansion as downstream processing equipment were improved and expanded during earlier plant turn-arounds.

Vertellus CEO Timothy Zappala said, "This application of our latest technology broadens our market position and allows us to support a variety of strategic growth initiatives for products and derivatives such as vitamin B3."