Precipitated silica producer to locate in new industrial complex

MOSES LAKE — Last week, Moses Lake City Council members heard from one of the latest businesses to move into the area.

Jim Trunzo, vice president of Specialty Chemical Products LLC, spoke to city council members seeking permission, which was received, to build on unplatted land in order to make a commitment to acquire property in the new Central Terminals industrial park complex, formerly the Pacific Northwest Sugar Plant, with the Pamp Maiers family as majority owners.

Central Terminals general manager Bob Fancher said Specialty Chemical has purchased six acres of land, an administration building, a shop and two main process buildings at 13583 Wheeler Road.

The Rock Island-based company is a subsidiary of Columbia Ventures Corporation. The company was formed to commercialize technology developed internally within the corporation, using a process to precipitate silica from fume, or crushed glass.

The process developed allows production of precipitated silica, which has applications in tires, various rubber, paper and ink products, toothpaste, food products and plastics, amongst other applications "in a way that is less energy-dependent and also has the ability to use post-industrial raw materials," Trunzo said, explaining that means something industry has made and has no use for. The material is harmless and inert and the corporation always felt it would have a future value.

"We developed a concept where we take the slash into the process and the silica portion of it is chemically dissolved, and all the non-silica stuff is filtered off," he explained. The liquid is precipitated into a high-purity, engineered precipitated silica material, which is filtered, washed, dried, processed into various forms and packaged.

In developing the technology, the company discovered a number of different silica sources worked as well, including diatomaceous earth, of which Washington, Oregon and Nevada have significant reserves. Trunzo added there are "huge deposits" in the George area and a company in Quincy mines the material.

The original plan was to develop the Rock Island facility to process and package the material, but about two years ago Trunzo became aware residents in the Moses Lake area wanted to do something with the old sugar plant.

Upon examination of the building, Trunzo found the property to be an almost perfect fit, with

plenty of room for eventual expansion. The initial plan is to produce 11,000 tons of the material, eventually expanding to 20,000 tons.

"It just all nicely fits within the buildings that are there," Trunzo said.

Specialty Chemical began making inquiries, and met with Grant County Economic Development Council executive director Terry Brewer, representatives of the Grant County Public Utility District and the City of Moses Lake, amongst others.

"We felt welcome," Trunzo said. "We felt like we would come into town and people were interested in what we were doing (and) happy to see us. Not only was the property a nice fit, we found it easy to work with the people who we would need to do business. I'm pleased so far."

Trunzo said the company was given approval by the city subject to the construction of a letter outlining all terms. The company must take ownership of the property and is working internally within the organization to obtain financing for construction. As soon as the purchase closes, the company will apply for environmental permits.

Once financing is obtained and construction begins, "sooner rather than later," Trunzo guessed, he estimated it would be a year before the company is able to begin production.

In start-up, the company would employ 45 to 50 people, with about 30 people in plant operations and maintenance and about 15 in management and staff. The operation is in the range of $25 million of capital expenditures for its initial plan, Trunzo added.

"This is a technology-driven business," he said. "We are looking for technically-trained sorts of people and we have what we consider a progressive view. We like people who are team-oriented and work without a tremendous degree of direct supervision. I think when the time comes, we will be able to make an interesting proposal to people looking for work."

While "a handful" of people in management will be asked to relocate to Moses Lake from Rock Island, Trunzo said Specialty Chemical is looking for all plant operations and maintenance workers in the local area. Based on information from the GCEDC, he said, "Grant County has a pool of really good people."

Brewer said the council worked with Trunzo for 20 months to bring the project to Moses Lake, and is glad to see it happening.

"I think it's a very positive occurrence, good for the job market, good for the local tax base," Brewer said. "The result is a significant investment on tax rolls and 50 high quality jobs is a good thing in my opinion."

"It's a very good new business for Moses Lake," Fancher agreed. "Their parent company, Columbia Ventures, is a very strong company, privately owned, very reputable."

Fancher said Specialty Chemicals will make its headquarters in Moses Lake and offer "very good" living wage jobs.

"It's a very clean business that helps replace some of the jobs that were lost from the closure of the sugar plant," Fancher said. "It's just the first step in more projects that we want to put out there in Central Terminals."

Fancher said about 1,500 acres are being developed for the industrial park complex.