Huntsman Corporation
Iron Oxide Pigments Plant

Market: Process Chemical
Delivery Method: Engineer-Procure-Construct (EPC)
Location: Augusta, GA
Services Provided: Engineering, Procurement, Construction services

For the first time in 35 years, an iron-oxide pigment plant opened in the United States, bringing with it a 100 new jobs and an economic boost for Augusta, GA residents. The plant provides 30,000 metric tons of high-quality pigment each year for the paint, construction, plastics, and specialties industry, to make paints brighter and more opaque.

O'Neal provided engineering-procurement-construction services for a grassroots synthetic iron oxide pigments manufacturing plant in Augusta, GA.

"I believe what truly set O'Neal apart was our willingness to provide a guaranteed cost and schedule that suited their budget and timeline, says Jeff Hall, O'Neal's Vice President and Process Chemical SBU Leader. We were also able to bring trusted experience and resources to the table."

The process technology for this facility is similar to Huntsman's manufacturing plant in Italy.

The project facilities include: 80-acre site

• Main building including a warehouse of approximately 56,000 square feet and office/locker areas of 9,600 square feet
• 32,000-square-foot filtration building
• 6,400-square-foot pack-out building
• Two office/lab/controls rooms of approximately 9,000 square feet in total
• Three MCC/electrical buildings of 1,600 square feet each
• 8,000-square-foot maintenance building

"Our EPC model, as evidenced by this unique project, reduces risks for the project owner, delivers predictable results and maximizes the effectiveness of capital planning in terms of schedule, costs and performance, says Hall. And, ultimately, it helped bring the business manufacturing process to the U.S."

The iron-oxide pigment plant was completed in September 2015. From groundbreaking to mechanical completion, construction took 24 months.

"I have been very pleased with O'Neal's team and the work they have performed on our project," says Jan Buberl, Vice President of Color Pigment, Huntsman Pigments and Additives. "Their team delivered the project as agreed and met the guaranteed date for mechanical completion."