Oxiteno is banking on growing US demand for its lineup of surfactants and specialty chemicals. Last month, the company marked the official opening of its first alkoxylation plant in Pasadena, TX.  The unit has annual capacity of 375-million-pound, featuring best-in-class alkoxylation technology and engineering for high productivity of specialties, with reliability and safety, according to company officials. The new plant adds to Oxiteno existing footprint in surfactants, ethylene oxide and derivatives in Latin America. Company executives maintain the opening positions Oxiteno as a leader in the production of nonionic surfactants and ethoxylates in the Americas. 


“We always felt the need to be more strategic and closer to our US customers. And, at the same time, we also knew that this region needed a state-of-the-art alkoxylation plant to meet strong demands,” said Timothy Madden, chief operating officer of Oxiteno in the US. “We are now reinforcing our ongoing commitment to key stakeholders including employees, customers and community through our investment in a brand new innovative alkoxylation system.” 


Oxiteno has a wide range of technological advantages to boost quality, flexibility and productivity, according to Oxiteno CEO João Parolin.


“The industrial plant has high technology that includes also low impurities, inherently safe with enhanced efficiency to bringing solutions for customer needs,” he explained. “A US Technology Center was opened to enhance the customer experience and intimacy in the US, despite the large-scale advanced Technology Center in Brazil.”


According to Ariane Domaneschi, marketing director, Oxiteno USA, the investment in the US brings new capacity, products, and options to the local market. It also consolidates Oxiteno as the biggest ethoxylator in the Americas in terms of capacity and portfolio which provides a robust and reliable supply to its customers.


“The grand opening of our Pasadena, TX site is a key milestone in our journey to be a leading supplier of surfactants and specialty alkoxylates to domestic and global customers,” she told Happi. “This new unit has the most advanced alkoxylation technology which allows safe, efficient, and high quality production. We will manufacture a wide range of surfactants and alkoxylated products. It will provide the speed, quality, and customer focus our HPC customers deserve.”


At the same time, Oxiteno remains in tune with consumer needs and market trends, added Domaneschi.


“We aim to establish a deep relationship to the US market and customers, focusing on leveraging knowledge and differentiation through co-creation of tailor-made solutions.”


That promise is evident in the investments Oxiteno is making. The company has invested $200 million over six years including site acquisition, plant construction, and R&D facilities, while creating more than 120 jobs. The investments in the US reflect the company's long-term commitment to serving the domestic market at a different level and scale, complementing its existing production base in other important markets, such as Mexico and Brazil. In recent years, Oxiteno has been pre-marketing its products in the US and has signed important co-manufacturing agreements for the Pasadena site. To support the US expansion, Oxiteno has invested widely in research and development. In 2016, the company opened a technology center co-located at the University of Southern Mississippi to support the development of new products and react faster to market and customer requests.Oxiteno has operations in North and South America, Europe and Asia. In the US, the company also maintains its main office in Houston, TX, and a R&D center in Hattiesburg, MS.


Oxiteno is part of Ultra and is a leading producer of surfactants and specialty chemicals. The company develops innovative and sustainable solutions that supply multiple markets, such as agrochemicals, personal care, home care, oil & gas, paints and coatings. Oxiteno has operations in North and South America, Europe and Asia. In the United States, Oxiteno's industrial plant in Pasadena, TX, its main office in Houston, TX and R&D center in Hattiesburg, MS operate together, serving customers nationwide through different channels with a broad portfolio of products and solutions. For more information visit www.oxiteno.us