Thirumalai Chemicals' West Virginia Facility Nears Startup for Specialty Chemicals Production
Thirumalai Chemicals Ltd. (TCL) subsidiary, TCL Specialities LLC, is advancing its new West Virginia, US manufacturing facility to pre-commissioning and startup. The plant will produce Maleic Anhydride (MAN), Malic Acid, and Fumaric Acid, with a partial MAN unit expected online by year-end and full operations by H1 2026. Utilizing proprietary technology and n-Butane feedstock, the facility aims to serve underserved US markets for MAN and reduce reliance on imported food ingredients in North America, LATAM, and EU, supported by US domestic manufacturing initiatives.
Thirumalai Chemicals Ltd. (TCL), through its US subsidiary TCL Specialities LLC, is making significant strides in bringing its new manufacturing facility in West Virginia online. The facility is now moving into pre-commissioning and startup phases, with the goal of progressively commencing operations. A portion of the Maleic Anhydride (MAN) unit is projected to begin operations by the end of the current calendar year, followed by the complete startup and stabilization of all remaining units during the first half of 2026.This state-of-the-art facility features two major plants: a Maleic Anhydride plant with an annual capacity exceeding 40,000 tons (90 million lbs) and a food ingredients plant capable of producing over 30,000 tons (66 million lbs) annually of Malic Acid and Fumaric Acid. These products are crucial for various industries; MAN is vital for high-strength composites, water treatment, coatings, and emerging biodegradable polymers, while Malic and Fumaric acids are essential food ingredients used in a wide array of snack foods, beverages, and food processing.Strategically located in the Marcellus-Utica shale region, the facility leverages n-Butane as its sole feedstock, offering a significant competitive advantage. The plants incorporate TCL India's proprietary and patented technologies, ensuring low investment costs and high levels of energy efficiency, automation, and safety. This domestic manufacturing initiative is well-supported by the current US environment. TCL LLC plans to cater to underserved MAN customers in the North-Eastern and Mid-West US, and other regional markets. For food ingredients, it will target customers in North America, LATAM, and EU, addressing the current situation where 75% of these essential ingredients are imported into the US, thereby boosting domestic supply and reducing import dependency.
