History

 

*Note: Image above is an original historical photo

A proud past powering our future.

With a history that extends back to 1887, today’s Albemarle is a leading global producer of catalyst solutions and performance chemicals. Our products are used as additives to, or intermediates for, a wide range of products manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, cleaning product manufacturers, water treatment companies, agricultural companies, electronics goods manufacturers, refineries, and paper and photographic companies. We operate on a global scale, serving customers around the world.

 

Click through the tabs below to view our history throughout the years.

2022
Albemarle announces new global business alignment for its Bromine and Lithium businesses into Albemarle Specialties and Energy Storage.

Albemarle concludes the strategic review of its Catalysts business under a separate entity and wholly owned subsidiary of Albemarle.

2021
Albemarle completed the sale of its Fine Chemistry Services business to W.R. Grace.

2019
Albemarle acquires a 60% stake in the Wodgina Hard Rock Lithium Mine from Mineral Resources Ltd., creating the MARBL joint venture.

Albemarle launched the Kemerton Lithium project with earthworks and a groundbreaking ceremony to commemorate the commencement of construction at the industrial site in Western Australia.

2018
Albemarle completed the sale of its Polyolefin Catalysts Business to W.R. Grace.

2017
Albemarle acquires lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate conversion assets in China.

2015
Albemarle acquired Rockwood Holdings to create one of the world’s premier specialty chemicals companies, with market-leading positions across four high-margin businesses: lithium, catalysts, bromine and surface treatment.

2014
Albemarle completed the sale of its antioxidant, ibuprofen and propofol businesses to SI Group allowing an increased focus on its bromine and catalyst franchises.

2013
Jordan Bromine Company, a joint venture between Albemarle and Arab Potash Company, completed the first phase of its expansion to double bromine capacity.

2012

Albemarle introduced Electronic Materials business unit.

Albemarle expanded its production capabilities for finished polyolefin catalysts in Baton Rouge.

Albemarle introduced GreenCrest™, the second product in the Earthwise® portfolio of sustainable, eco-friendly solutions.
Albemarle announced plans to exit phosphorus flame retardants business.

Albemarle celebrated the grand opening of its Asia-Pacific shared services center in Dalian, China.

Albemarle expanded its South Haven API production site and upgraded its multi-product cGMP active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturing facility. The project was one in a series of projects at the South Haven site to increase capabilities and production throughput, meeting the increasing demand for both generic API products and custom manufacturing service portfolios.

Albemarle announced plans to expand its Korea facility to manufacture electronic-grade metal organics. The company also celebrated the grand opening of the R&D center at this facility.

Albemarle celebrated the grand opening of a new laboratory facility and expanded applications capabilities at its Process Development Center (PDC) in Baton Rouge.

Albemarle announced plans to expand its Orangeburg facility to support growing demand for products in all three of its global business units.

Albemarle doubled the capacity at its Tyrone facility for a proprietary chemical product.
2011
Jordan Bromine Company, a joint venture between Albemarle and Arab Potash Company, announced that it will double the capacity of its bromine production in order to meet expanding global customer requirements.

Albemarle announced it had developed a proprietary technology for lithium extraction from brine.

Albemarle expanded its presence in the biofuels market with the acquisition of Catilin Inc., based in Ames, Iowa.

Albemarle announced the formation of Albemarle Environmental Division. This newly-formed division focuses the resources of Albemarle Corporation in this important market segment within the air pollution control industry.

2010
Grand Opening of global shared services center – Albemarle's Center of Excellence (ACE), in Budapest, Hungary. The facility was developed as part of the company's "Project One Albemarle" initiative designed to standardize and streamline the company's global processes.

Albemarle Corporation and Petrobras announced plans to build a world-scale hydroprocessing facility in Santa Cruz, Brazil. The new facility will complement existing production of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts.

Albemarle Corporation announced the completion of the R&D laboratory facilities and the beginning of construction on its Yeosu, South Korea manufacturing facility. Upon completion, the site will produce finished catalysts, activators like methylaluminoxane (MAO) and metallocene components, as well as High Purity Metal Organics for the HBLED market.

Albemarle Corporation sold its Teesport, UK facility to Kemira Oyj.