Calumet: A Business Evolving Towards Sustainability

Have you been introduced to Calumet? Discover one of the world’s foremost speciality product manufacturers as it pivots towards more sustainable solutions.

In June, we highlighted Montana Renewables, a segment of the Calumet family dedicated to renewable diesel production. In this edition of Energy, Oil & Gas, we delve into Calumet’s broader operations, tracing its history, growing sustainability focus, and expanding capabilities.

A Legacy of Growth and Innovation

Many of its divisions boast a history spanning over a century, but Calumet, in its present form, was founded in 1990 with the acquisition of a Princeton, Louisiana-based naphthenic lubricants facility. Over time, the company has evolved into a refined and highly profitable leader within the speciality products sector. Growth brings change, and Calumet has embraced new frontiers, expanding in ways that naturally complement its existing expertise.

Now recognized as one of the industry’s most integrated specialty product manufacturers, this expansion strategy has proven highly effective. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, Calumet operates across more than 90 countries, with ten integrated production and formulation facilities across the U.S., supported by an extensive distribution network. The business is divided into three key segments: speciality products and solutions; performance brands; and, as previously mentioned, Montana Renewables, where efforts are focused on transforming a major portion of its Great Falls facility into an advanced renewable feedstock processing plant.

Products That Touch Everyday Life

Calumet develops solutions that support and enhance essential everyday products—from the tires on your car to the balm on your lips—serving industries such as medical and pharmaceutical, industrial, personal care, transportation, energy and chemicals, food and agriculture, and home and electronics.

Its portfolio includes base oils, food-grade white oils, solvents, esters, waxes, petrolatum, fuels, asphalts, finished lubricants, greases, horticultural spray oils, renewables, and gels. These base ingredients are found in familiar household products such as ointments, baby oil, lubricants, paints, and candles. Additionally, Calumet owns premium retail and industrial brands, including Royal Purple, TruFuel, Bel-Ray, and Orchex.

Providing insight into Calumet’s operations and forward-thinking approach is CEO Todd Borgmann. “This business has been built one customer, one product, and one asset at a time,” Todd states. “We establish partnerships that adapt to evolving business demands. This approach enables us to serve our clients in unique ways, fostering a deeply integrated business with a strong culture of innovation—both of which set Calumet apart.”

He continues: “Regarding our asset base, our four facilities in northwest Louisiana function as a single, unified speciality unit. These sites feature precision distillation capabilities along with extensive hydro-treating, dewaxing, and blending processes. Beyond that, we operate six upgrading and distribution facilities, where we refine base stocks into complex food-grade and pharmaceutical products or develop finished branded goods for retail channels. With our integrated asset network, we can execute processes that others simply cannot.”

Innovation and Sustainability at Scale

For businesses focused on innovation and efficiency, Calumet presents extensive opportunities. The Indiana-based company remains dedicated to pioneering unique solutions tailored to client needs, a commitment that has solidified its industry reputation. As Todd explains, Calumet distinguishes itself by identifying and fulfilling customer demands.

“We supply more than 1800 products to over 2500 customers worldwide,” Todd shares. “For every client, we apply our innovative mindset while considering evolving market needs. The transformation at Montana Renewables, which you previously covered, is a prime example of our agility. In just two years, we have revamped our Great Falls asset, positioning ourselves as a leader in Renewable Diesel (RD) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), two of the fastest-growing energy markets.

“We have the capability to innovate at scale, and in today’s rapidly changing environment, Calumet thrives,” he adds. “There’s also increasing demand for sustainable specialty solutions, and we are eager to expand our expertise in this area.”

“In fact, we’ve already taken steps in that direction,” Todd reveals. “Our highest-growth product this year is BioMax, a bio-friendly lubricant designed for the global shipping market, offering exceptional performance. Additionally, we are preparing to launch a new wax product tailored to environmentally conscious candle manufacturers. Both examples illustrate our commitment to innovation—delivering solutions that benefit both our clients and the environment without compromising quality or performance.”

Looking to the Future

The upcoming months will be pivotal for Calumet as years of work at both Montana Renewables and within its speciality business reach fruition. “At Montana Renewables, we are currently in the commissioning phase and expect full operations within weeks,” Todd states. “Meanwhile, our speciality business is performing exceptionally well.”

“Looking further ahead, even more opportunities await,” he concludes. “In Montana, we see vast potential to expand, source additional local feedstocks, and become North America’s largest SAF producer. Within our speciality business, we have multiple high-return projects that will deepen our integration, expand options for our customers, and reinforce the competitive advantage that Calumet enjoys today.”

Calumet

www.calumet.com