Charleston, South Carolina Chemical Plant

Rosin and Fatty Acid Products

Our facility in North Charleston, South Carolina refines tall oil soap, a byproduct recovered from pulp mills, into rosin and fatty acids. Fatty acids are used in paints, corrosion inhibitors and other industrial applications. Rosin is used to make paper size, a coating which imparts moisture-resistance to paper and paperboard. It is also used to make tackifying resins for inks and adhesives as well as reagents to produce synthetic rubber.

Lignin Products

The facility also makes high value-added products from the lignin found in spent pulping liquor. Lignin, a natural polymer that binds the fibers together in wood, is the basis for many specialty chemicals products. Once regarded as a waste product in paper manufacturing, lignin research and development has led to its use in dyeing polyester fibers, dispersing pesticides and emulsifying asphalt.

Community Contributions

Employees at our Charleston chemical plant participate in community outreach activities supporting agencies such as Red Cross blood drives, the United Way, the March of Dimes, the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association.

They also conduct an annual charitable contribution drive, which has supported programs such as Metanoia, Lowcountry Food Bank, Families Helping Families, Charleston County School District's First Day and Jenkins Orphanage.

Our MWV Charleston chemical plant sponsors a Community Advisory Panel to strengthen relations with neighboring communities and provide a forum for discussion of issues of mutual interest. Meetings are held at least five times per year.