Lubricants & Biolubricants

With world class facilities, exceptional customer service, and experience in running continuous processes, Albemarle Fine Chemistry Services is the perfect production partner in the lubricants market. Our technicians and staff have a vast amount of experience in large-scale distillation/hydrogenation and the capability to develop processes to convert developmental (batch) processes to commercial scale continuous processes. 

Albemarle’s manufacturing site, ideally located on the Houston, TX ship channel, has a history of large-scale production and is served via rail and potentially barge access. If you desire a long term collaborative relationship with a financially sound company offering superior R&D and process development, sample quantities or volume manufacturing, we can deliver what you need.

Albemarle - Amyris Manufacturing Agreement

Albemarle Corporation announced on August 23, 2011 that it has entered into a manufacturing agreement to supply base oils to Novvi S.A., a joint venture between Amyris, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMRS) and Cosan S.A. Industria e Comércio (BM&FBovespa: CSAN3) focused on the development, production, marketing and distribution of high-performance renewable base oils from Biofene®, Amyris’ renewable farnesene. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Albemarle’s Fine Chemistry Services (FCS) Division will serve as a custom scale-up and production partner for synthetic, renewable base oils for thelubricantsmarket. Novvi will market NovaSpec™, the venture’s synthetic renewable base oils produced at Albemarle, to finished lubricant manufacturers globally. Pending regulatory activities, Albemarle expects to commence production of NovaSpec™ base oils in the near future at its Orangeburg, South Carolina facility utilizing Biofene produced and supplied by Amyris.

Albemarle – Amyris Manufacturing Agreement Press Release

Albemarle - ExxonMobil Custom Manufacturing Agreement

On January 5, 2009, Albemarle Corporation announced the successful start-up of a new unit to produce SpectraSyn(TM) polyalphaolefins (PAO), a high viscosity basestock for lubricants, for ExxonMobil Chemical (NYSE:XOM).  The plant's 15,000 mt/yr capacity was successfully rate tested in November.

Albemarle's custom manufacturing business unit, Fine Chemistry Services (FCS), designed and built the facility using a combination of new and existing equipment at Albemarle's Pasadena, Texas production site.

"This project is held up as a model within our company for the speed and technical success achieved by the team.  The timeline from the initial feasibility study to a successful rate test was only two years, which included the design, construction and start-up of the facility.  Albemarle's FCS business model, focused on speed-to-market services with the highest quality results, drove this project to fruition," said Ron Gardner, Albemarle's vice president of fine chemicals.   

Albemarle Announces Custom Manufacturing Agreement With ExxonMobil Chemical 

Contact Information:

Americas
Fine Chemistry Services
Tel:  +1 225 388 7402
FCS@albemarle.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa
EMA Fine Chemistry Services
Tel: +32 10 48 1711
FCS@albemarle.com