Type: Public
On the web: http://www.albemarle.com
Employees: 4,020
Employee growth: 1.8%

Albemarle has chemistry in its veins. The company produces polymer additives, fine chemicals, and catalysts used by a variety of industries. Its polymer additives -- flame retardants, stabilizers, and curatives -- add desired properties to various plastics. Albemarle's catalysts segment makes polyolefin and refinery catalysts. The company ranks among the world's largest makers of hydroprocessing catalysts and fluidized catalytic cracking catalysts. Its fine chemicals include bromine-based chemicals, agricultural chemicals, and bulk ibuprofen (a pain reliever). Customers include chemical, plastics, pharmaceutical, petroleum, and paper companies. FMR LLC (aka Fidelity Investments) owns about 15% of Abermarle.

Key numbers for fiscal year ending December, 2010:
Sales: $2,362.8M
One year growth: 17.8%
Net income: $323.7M
Income growth: 81.5%

Officers:
Chairman and CEO: Mark C. Rohr
President: Luther C. (Luke) Kissam IV
EVP and COO: John M. Steitz

Competitors:
Chemtura
ICL Industrial Products
W. R. Grace

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