Area Development
Anellotech, a sustainable technology company focused on producing cost-competitive renewable chemicals from non-food biomass, has broken ground on the installation of its fully-integrated development and testing facility in Silsbee, Texas.

Construction of a building and related facilities to house the pre-built unit began today in Silsbee, Hardin Country, Texas. The project is on the site of Anellotech’s operating partner, South Hampton Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Trecora Resources. SHR recently received the building permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.

“We are very pleased to break ground on TCat-8 installation and continue our momentum as we work with our partners towards scale-up and commercialization of the Bio-TCat process,” said David Sudolsky, President/CEO of Anellotech. “I would like to thank the SHR team and Hardin County, as well as all of our employees, partners and investors for helping us achieve this important milestone. We are well-positioned to continue our program to commercialize the Bio-TCat process to cost-competitively produce renewable chemicals from non-food biomass.”

As an integral component in the bio-based value chain, Anellotech’s proprietary thermal catalytic biomass conversion technology (Bio-TCat™) cost-competitively produces “drop-in” green aromatic chemicals (benzene, toluene and xylenes, “BTX”) from non-food biomass.

Scheduled to be fully installed and operational during 2016, TCat-8 will confirm the viability and suitability of the Bio-TCat process for scale-up, and generate the data needed to design commercial plants using Bio-TCat technology. The TCat-8 unit was jointly designed by Anellotech and its R&D partner IFPEN, and will use a novel catalyst under joint development by Anellotech and Johnson Matthey.

Hardin County Commissioner Chris Kirkendall commented, "It has been a blessing to work with the leadership teams of South Hampton Resources and Anellotech in seeing this project come to life. Hardin County is playing a significant role in supporting innovative products. In particular, we recognize the importance of developing cutting edge resource technologies like the Bio-TCat process. We need to thank Dean Robinson, Jessica Hill, and the Southeast Texas Economic Foundation for their collaborative efforts. Commissioners Court supports the efforts and encourages businesses to take advantage of the resources and work force in the region. Anellotech and its research and development partners are a welcome addition to our business community, and we look forward to watching their progress in Hardin County."