Specialty Polymers, Inc. Makes $5.5 Million Investment

Specialty Polymers, Inc., a privately held manufacturer of water-based emulsion polymers and adhesives, is expanding its existing Chester County operations. The $5.5 million investment will significantly increase the plant’s capacity and generate five new jobs.

“In 1997, when Specialty Polymers selected South Carolina to be the home of our new East Coast facility, we knew we were making the right decision,” said Specialty Polymers, Inc. President and CEO Sheryl Southwell. “Our continued investment in our Chester facility reflects our commitment to the state. We appreciate the business friendly approach of the state of South Carolina, the county and the city. We also appreciate the great employees who have been instrumental in our success.”
Founded in 1969 in Salem, Ore., Specialty Polymers is known for its state of the art innovations, environmentally friendly emulsion polymers and outstanding customer service. The Company has more than 300 active products with customers around the world. In 1999, Specialty Polymers broke ground on its Chester, S.C. plant, the company’s first East Coast facility. Today, the firm boasts more than 100,000 square-feet of combined production space between its South Carolina and Oregon facilities.
Specialty Polymers has expanded its Chester County operations, which are located on 25 acres at 869 Old Richburg Road in Chester, S.C., several times since opening in 2000. To date the company has invested more than $20 million in their Chester site, and generated more than 50 new jobs in the Palmetto State. This current expansion, a $5.5 million investment, will finance the expansion of the company’s current production area to add a 6,000-gallon emulsion polymer reactor system for the production of water-based polymers. With this recently announced expansion, combined with the Company’s lab and warehouse expansions, means Specialty Polymers will have invested over $8 million in its Chester plant in the past 10 years.
Expansion of the Chester County plant is expected to be completed in the 4th quarter of 2015. Hiring for the new positions is expected to begin in December 2015. Those interested in applying for open positions may contact Lisa Burrell at scjobs@specpoly.com . For more information on Specialty Polymers, Inc., please visit www.specpoly.com.