Vertellus Specialties Plans Significant Expansion of Vitride(R) Manufacturing Capacity

INDIANAPOLIS, March 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Vertellus Specialties Inc., a leading specialty chemicals company, today announced plans to expand significantly its manufacturing capacity of Vitride® reducing agent in response to growing worldwide demand.  This increased manufacturing capacity is scheduled to be operational in June 2010 through an expedited development project conducted at the Company's Vitride® manufacturing facility in Zeeland, Michigan.  These efforts represent a steady and ongoing commitment to Vertellus' longstanding leadership position in Vitride® manufacture.  

In addition to the expansion in manufacturing capacity, the Company is also expanding the supply and sales infrastructure for its Specialty Chemicals products including the addition of enhanced distribution capabilities, new sales resources in China and increased technical support throughout the global Vertellus system.  

Dr. Jim Keay, Business Director for Vertellus Specialty Chemicals division, says, "We continue to see good opportunities to improve customers' processes using Vitride® as well as helping generic pharmaceutical producers find more manageable routes to their new products.  Often companies working on complex molecule development programs encounter challenges in the reduction step. With our experience in working on reactions of this type, we can provide support and guidance to improve the selectivity, yield and overall cost of the target molecule."

Vitride® reducing agent has multiple applications in pharmaceutical, flavor and fragrance as well as agrochemical manufacture.  Demand for Vitride® has grown rapidly over the past few years as companies in the chemical synthesis industry have appreciated its multiple advantages.  Vitride® is more selective, safer and easier to handle than many other reducing agents.  This often leads to a lower cost route for the manufacture of complex chemicals and pharmaceuticals while limiting operational risks and worker exposure commonly associated with other reducing agents.

About Vertellus Specialties Inc.

Vertellus is a specialty chemicals company focused on the manufacture of ingredients used in pharmaceuticals, personal care, nutrition, agriculture, and a host of other market areas affected by trends favoring "green" technologies and chemistries.  Vertellus is the #1 global producer of pyridine and picolines, specialty pyridine derivatives, DEET, castor oil derivatives and systems, and citrate polymer additives and systems, and the world's #2 producer of Vitamin B-3. Vertellus benefits from a technically advanced global manufacturing base and has approximately 750 employees.  Vertellus is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.  For more information, visit www.vertellus.com.

SOURCE Vertellus Specialties Inc.