1990s

1991 – Sterlington plant explosion

May 1, 1991 was a tragic day that changed ANGUS forever, when we lost eight of our own in an explosion at the Sterlington nitroparaffins plant. Based on the lessons learned from the unfortunate event, ANGUS restarted a modified production unit less than one year later. This unit incorporated more than 800 significant process changes that greatly improved plant safety and reliability.

The experience inspired an ANGUS culture of leadership in process safety, instilling in every ANGUS employee the importance of putting safety first in everything they do. ANGUS management made a vow to its employees, the Sterlington community, and its customers that safe and reliable operations would be the cornerstone upon which it would build its business.

1992 – Sterlington plant reconstruction is completed

The ANGUS plant in Sterlington was rebuilt following the explosion in May of 1991. ANGUS worked closely with outside consulting firms installing safeguards throughout the plant, making significant layout changes to prevent future problems. The plant was up and running in less than 23 months.

Since 1992, ANGUS has continued to invest in process safety improvements and has expanded capacity while improving reliability. ANGUS's consistent record of safe operations over the following years is evidence of the depth of its resolve and the effectiveness of its efforts.

ANGUS moves into new corporate headquarters and research and development (R&D) center in Buffalo Grove

ANGUS moved into new corporate headquarters and R&D center in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, USA. A new synthesis lab is responsible for new product development and process development in support of ANGUS manufacturing operations.

Hickson Fine Chemicals buys AFCL