Ascend Specialty Chemicals Opens Application Laboratory in Decatur

May 31, 2016 | By Business Wire News

HOUSTON

Ascend Specialty Chemicals is opening a new application lab at the company’s Decatur, Alabama facility. The new lab will support the company’s growing formulated product line to serve the coatings, asphalt and oil and gas industries.

The opening of the lab is one of several planned and ongoing strategic initiatives to support Ascend’s growing specialty chemicals business.

“This lab will allow us to take a deeper dive into our products and learn how we can better serve our customers,” said Dr. Prasad Taranekar, applications manager for Ascend. “We’re committed to investing in the technology, the people and the resources to bring new solutions to the market and take our customer service to the next level.”

Ascend’s Decatur plant first opened in 1952. The site is situated on 760 acres of land and approximately 370 employees and resident contractors work at the plant. Ascend will add full-time personnel to its headcount in Decatur as a direct result of opening the new laboratory.

As the world’s only large-scale converter of acrylonitrile to adiponitrile, Ascend’s Specialty Chemicals Division is uniquely positioned for the production of dozens of amines, acids, esters and intermediates used in a variety of end applications. Our integrated manufacturing processes allow us to produce a wide range of specialty chemicals, which are used in hundreds of brand-name adhesives, coatings, cleansers and detergents.

NOTE TO EDITORS: ASCEND PERFORMANCE MATERIALS is a trademark of Ascend Performance Materials Operations LLC. This trademark has been registered in jurisdictions throughout the world, including the United States of America.

About Ascend Performance Materials

Ascend Performance Materials is a global premium provider of high-quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. Ascend is one of the world’s largest integrated PA66 producers, with its own in-house manufacturing facilities, ensuring total security of supply. Ascend’s product range has earned it an unequalled reputation for quality, innovative techniques and an enlightened approach to business that expands the horizons of possibility. With eight global locations and more than 3,200 people working at our sites around the world, Ascend has the inspiration, the expertise, the people and the attitude toward innovation to consistently deliver the right solution for customers.

Together, we’re making a difference.
Together, we’re inspiring everyday.

More information about Ascend can be found at www.ascendmaterials.com.

About SK Capital

SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors. The firm’s purpose is to build strong and growing businesses that create substantial long-term economic value. SK utilizes its industry, operating and investment experience to identify opportunities to transform businesses into higher performing organizations with improved strategic positioning, growth and profitability as well as lower operating risk. SK Capital’s portfolio companies generate revenues of approximately $8 billion annually and employ approximately 9,000 people. The firm currently manages more than $1.5 billion of committed capital. For more information, please visit www.skcapitalpartners.com.