H&R WASAG has exploded in growth by acquiring explosive companies, the specialty chemicals company remains most profitable in manufacturing chemical and pharmaceutical raw materials and plastics. H&R WASAG is involved in such operations as precision-molded parts (Gaudlitz), industrial explosives (WASAG-Chemie), gunpowder (WANO), and blasting machines (ZEB). With its 2005 acquisition of Westspreng, the group became the No. 1 explosives maker in Germany. Formerly Wasag-Chemie, the company added H&R to its name for major shareholder Hansen & Rosenthal and dropped "chemie."

Soluol's waterborne and solvent borne polyurethane resins, coatings, and adhesives are probably part of your daily routine. The company is the maker of the SOLUCOTE line of coatings that transform fabrics into water and flame resistant materials, make rubber gloves more slippery (and easier to fit), and protect pills in blister packaging. Originally a manufacturer of textile auxiliaries, Soluol shifted operations to silicone emulsification in 1968 and water-based products in the late 1970s. In 2008 Dutch chemicals giant DSM acquired Soluol to increase its North American presence through its DSM Resins U.S. unit.

Cambridge Isotope Laboratories (CIL) helps scientists avoid having to say "oops!" by providing a stable research base. The company produces stable (non-radioactive) isotopes -- and chemical compounds labeled with stable isotopes -- for research and laboratory purposes. Its annual production capacity is 120 kilograms of Carbon-13 and 250 kilograms of Oxygen-18. CIL offers more than 8,000 products including amino acids, carbohydrates, gases, buffers, and dioxins, as well as specialty products such as forensic testing standards that monitor the effectiveness of a given drug and a new type of non-invasive "breath test" substrate used to gain information on metabolism.

Soy -- not just a food substitute anymore. Evidently, it can be a chemical substitute as well. Franmar Chemical manufactures 100% biodegradable and recyclable soybean- and corn-based products for the restoration and remodeling, asbestos removal, screen-printing, industrial cleaning, boating, and consumer markets. Some brand names include Bean-e-doo adhesive remover, Kernel Clean surface and window cleaner, Ickee Stickee Unstuck Graffiti Remover, and Soy Smooth hand lotion. Customers of the environmentally responsible products include government agencies and foreign restoration companies. President Frank Sliney founded the company in 1983.

One can get wrapped up in the chemical products produced by Asahi Kasei Spandex Europe and not have to worry about rehab. The company, a subsidiary of Asahi Kasei's fibers unit, produces manmade fibers under the brand name Dorlastan that are used in apparel, paper machine clothing, fishing line, and zippers. It had been a part of LANXESS, and before that of Bayer MaterialScience, until Asahi Kasei acquired the company in 2006. It was called Dorlastan Fibers until its new parent changed its name in 2007; prior to that name change, it was called Bayer Faser until the summer of 2004, when it took the name of its best-known product brand.

Borregaard has high regard for high timber. It is a top manufacturer of wood-based chemicals, including specialty cellulose, lignin, vanillin, bioethanol, and yeast products. The company's LignoTech unit makes natural thermoplastics (LignoPol) as alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. It also produces natural acids (SoftAcid). Its ChemCell unit is Europe's leading producer of specialty cellulose (a natural polymer) and also produces chloralkali chemicals such as caustic soda. Its Borregaard Synthesis unit produces fine chemicals for the pharmaceuticals industry and diphenols used in agrochemicals.

NISSO manufactures basic chemicals, including caustic soda and chlorine used for industrial purposes. The company also produces specialty and performance chemicals such as dyes and additives for poultry and pig feed; agrochemicals such as herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides; and pharmaceuticals. NISSO's non-chemical operations include warehousing, transportation services, construction, and non-ferrous metals operations. The company sells its products primarily in Japan but also in other parts of Asia, North America, and Europe.

Innophos Holdings, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces specialty phosphates primarily in the North America. Its products include specialty salts, which are used in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications; specialty acids that are used in industrial applications, such as asphalt modification and petrochemical catalysis; technical grade sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), which is used in detergent applications, including automatic dishwashing, commercial/industrial detergents, and home laundry detergents; and other products, such as phosphate fertilizers that are used as co-products of manufacturing purified phosphoric acid. Innophos Holdings also offers purified phosphoric acid (PPA) that is used as an input to specialty salts, specialty acids, and STPP, as well as in water and metal treatment applications. The company’s customers include consumer goods manufacturers, distributors, and specialty chemical manufacturers in food, bakery, beverage, pharmaceutical, and cleaning product markets. Innophos Holdings was incorporated in 2004 and is headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey.

Kalcor Coatings makes industrial paints and coatings for the construction, fabricated metal, tire manufacturing, transportation, and graphic arts industries. The company's products include air-dry and baked paints, plastic and rubber coatings, metal and wood lacquers, UV base coats, and rust conversion coatings. Kalcor Coatings distributes throughout the US, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Mexico.

In the world of specialty chemicals production, Prince Minerals wouldn't mind being king. The company turns natural minerals into additives and pigments used in animal feed, bricks, cement, ceramics, fertilizer, foundries, glass, steel, water treatment, and other industrial applications. Serving customers throughout the Americas, it operates six processing facilities that manufacture iron oxide, magnetite, olivine, silica, and zircon, among others. Prince Minerals is the North American subsidiary of Prince Mineral Holdings Corp., which is owned by private equity firm Palladium Equity Partners. UK-based sister subsidiary Prince Minerals Limited operates in Europe.

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