A Look Inside the Chemstar Lab
Most of our stories discuss how we developed starch formulations in our lab to overcome a specific challenge for a customer. Today we thought it would be fun to pull back the curtain and give you a look inside at where the discoveries happen – the Chemstar lab.
While Chemstar has always performed testing, the lab as we know it today began forming in 1994 when I was hired to create a research division at Chemstar. My first few weeks on the job were spent rearranging the facility to create a functional chemical laboratory. Within a few years we expanded to create a new pilot plant while converting the old pilot plant into an analytical and applications test facility. In 2000, we added an additional pilot plant to explore novel starch chemistries to open new opportunities. Finally in 2009, we remodeled the testing lab to double needed counter space. We also have an intermediate processing plant to prove out new process developments prior to moving to full scale production. In total, our labs consist of roughly 2,000 square feet with four dedicated chemists, including myself.
Complete Testing Capabilities
We have the capability to conduct all sorts of physical and analytical testing within the lab, as well as specific application performance tests. We’ll pick apart the chemistry of the starches we create and test their physical performance in a target market to make sure they achieve the desired results. We have complete testing capabilities for any type of oil and gas drill-in or drilling fluid developments. This includes high temp/high pressure filtrate testing equipment, heat aging cells with hot rolling ovens, and a variety of fluid mixing and testing equipment. Our AR2000 controlled stress rheometer, Brookfield viscometers, and Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) allows us to characterize the physical and rheological uniqueness of the starches we develop.
Each of our chemists conducts their own research work within specific market segments. A typical day may involve synthesizing a new molecule in the morning, analytical testing in the afternoon and application testing in its target market the following day. At the same time, we are constantly supporting our plants with quality control, responding to customer requests, reviewing samples and continuing research on new product development.
Unique Ability to Quickly Create Custom Solutions
We pride ourselves on our ability to respond quickly to any type of customer request. We can move from concept to market extremely quickly, often within a month, and we’re very creative in designing products. This is due primarily to the Chemstar management team encouraging us to be very flexible in product design and explore as many avenues, means and processes as necessary. We also benefit by being focused exclusively on industrial products, so we aren’t handicapped by food regulations. This gives us a flexibility many of our competitors don’t have.
Over the years we’ve had quite a few breakthroughs – particularly new products for the construction market, environmental and erosion control industry, and of course, creating new drill-in starches for the oil and gas industry. We also regularly develop and test solutions for all the markets we serve.
If you want to put us to the test, we welcome your challenge. Please send me an email and we’ll be sure to respond quickly.
-Cory Bernu
Director of Research and Development