Clariant, a sustainability-focused specialty chemical company, is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Valencia County desiccant manufacturing site. Beginning in 1983 with Desi Pak bentonite clay desiccants, the site has developed a range of innovative products for varied industries including intermodal transport, electronics and semiconductors, aerospace and defense, packaging, food protection, apparel and textiles, medical devices, and health and personal care.
“This celebration is an opportunity to express our appreciation to our customers, suppliers, employees, and the Valencia County community, where the site is located,” said Ryan Grauer, head of sales, marketing and technology, cargo and device protection, Clariant Adsorbents and Additives. “Everything that we have achieved has been the result of our dedicated teamwork and collaboration with our partners. We are grateful to everyone who has contributed to the success of this site.”
Submitted photo
Originally established in 1983 as United Desiccants (United Catalysts, Inc., Desiccant Division) by Munich-based Süd-Chemie AG, the local site was one of the original tenants of the Rio Grande Industrial Park in Valencia County. Using mined bentonite from its mine in Arizona, the site has specialized in the processing and packaging of high-grade activated bentonite clay desiccants, which quickly gained wide-spread recognition as a leading solution in military and industrial applications.
In 2023, Clariant launched the latest innovation in the portfolio, Desi Pak ECO, a responsibly-mined natural bentonite clay desiccant in a plastic-free, bio-based package. The desiccant packets are specially designed moisture adsorbing solutions focused on sourcing raw materials and transportation packaging with a lower environmental impact.
“Our desiccant products are designed for any customer in need of moisture protection for their products,” adds Justin Mueller, head of Adsorbents Americas. “With our decades of experience and worldwide network of state-of-the-art manufacturing sites and support teams, we are committed to delivering quality, reliability, and sustainability in all of our products.”
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
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April 25, 2024
