Sodium Hydroxide: The Chemical You Use Everywhere

Sodium hydroxide—caustic soda—is one of the most widely used industrial chemicals for a reason: it works.
In food and beverage, it’s the backbone of CIP cleaning—breaking down fats, proteins, and residues that other chemistries can’t fully remove. In water treatment, it controls pH, neutralizes waste streams, and helps remove heavy metals. Across manufacturing, it supports everything from degreasing to refining.
It’s not a specialty product. It’s a staple. Which makes how you source it just as important as how you use it. Inconsistent concentration, delayed delivery, or gaps in supply don’t show up as minor issues—they show up as downtime, failed cleaning cycles, or compliance risk.
Brainerd Chemical supplies sodium hydroxide—straight caustic or custom blends—with a focus on what operations actually need:
• Consistent concentration and quality you can rely on across every delivery
• Bulk supply and flexible delivery aligned to your schedule—not the supplier’s
• Integrated logistics that reduce handoffs and supply chain variability

Because when a commodity chemical is critical to your operation, the risk isn’t the chemistry—it’s the supply.
If caustic is core to your process, your supply partner should remove uncertainty—not add to it.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of specialty and commodity chemicals serving agriculture, water treatment, energy, and industrial markets nationwide, with integrated packaging, logistics, and regulatory compliance capabilities.

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When Off-the-Shelf Chemistry Fails

Standard supply doesn’t solve specialized processes. A capable blending partner does.

At a certain point, standard chemical supply stops aligning with operational reality. Required concentrations fall outside commercially available ranges. Internal formulations, developed over time to meet specific process needs, become increasingly expensive or complex to produce in-house. In regulated environments, certification requirements or performance tolerances further narrow the set of viable options.

These conditions are not edge cases. They are common across water treatment, oil and gas, food processing, and metal manufacturing—industries where process requirements rarely conform to standardized supply.

In these situations, limitation is not availability. It is fit.

Custom and Contract Blending Serve Different Roles

Blending services are often grouped together, but the distinction between models is operationally significant.

Custom blending is typically applied when a formulation does not yet exist in its required form. A blending partner develops the product to meet defined performance specifications—such as concentration thresholds, compatibility requirements, or inhibitor inclusion—often beginning with lab-scale validation before scaling to production.

Contract, or toll blending, applies when the formulation is already established. In this model, production is outsourced while the customer retains ownership of the formula. The blending partner assumes responsibility for manufacturing, quality control, and delivery.

Both approaches shift production from a fixed-cost structure to a variable one, aligning output with demand and reducing the burden of maintaining in-house blending infrastructure.

Capability Gaps Define Risk

The variability between blending facilities is often underestimated. While capabilities may appear comparable at a high level, differences become more pronounced when hazardous materials or regulated applications are involved.

Facilities configured for non-hazardous blending may lack the infrastructure, containment systems, or certified personnel required to safely handle concentrated acids, oxidizers, or caustics. In these cases, the risk extends beyond the blender—it transfers to the purchasing organization.

Similarly, certification requirements must be evaluated at the application level. FDA or NSF credentials, for example, are necessary for food-grade products, while NSF/ANSI/CAN 60 compliance applies to many water treatment applications. OMRI listing may be required in agricultural contexts. The presence of a certification alone is insufficient; its relevance to the intended use is what determines compliance.

Operational flexibility is another differentiator. Facilities optimized for large-scale production may struggle to accommodate variable demand or smaller batch requirements, creating inefficiencies for customers with fluctuating volumes.

Logistics, often treated as a separate function, also plays a role in overall system reliability. The introduction of third-party carriers can add variability in handling and documentation, particularly for regulated or hazardous materials. Why Brainerd Chemical

Brainerd Chemical was built to handle the kind of complexity that standard blending operations often avoid. Across six facilities, the company supports both hazardous and non-hazardous blending with a level of capability designed for high-demand industrial applications.

Operators are certified to work with some of the most challenging chemistries in use today, including high concentrations of nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, Formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, custom PAA formulations, and many others. This range is not typical—and it reflects a deliberate focus on supporting customers whose requirements extend beyond standard supply.

From an operational standpoint, the infrastructure is built for both scale and flexibility. With more than 50 large-capacity tanks, batch sizes ranging from 330 to 40,000 gallons, and over 167,000 square feet of warehouse space, the system is designed to accommodate both specialized runs and high-volume production. Custom formulation and toll manufacturing are supported within the same environment, alongside blending programs that meet EPA, NSF, FDA, and OMRI standards.

What distinguishes the model further is end-to-end control. Brainerd operates its own transportation fleet, with DOT-certified drivers and company-owned equipment. That eliminates the need for third-party handoffs, reducing variability and strengthening compliance throughout the supply chain. For customers requiring private labeling, blind shipment, or customized packaging, those capabilities are integrated into the same operation—managed by a single accountable partner.

Reassessing the Blending Model

As process requirements evolve, the limitations of standard supply models become more apparent. In many cases, the decision is less about sourcing a different product and more about restructuring how that product is produced and delivered.

Blending, when aligned with operational needs, becomes less of a constraint—and more of a system that supports scale, compliance, and cost control.

Why Brainerd

Brainerd Chemical is built for the complexity most blenders avoid.

Across six facilities, Brainerd supports both hazardous and non-hazardous blending with certified capability across high-demand chemistries—including nitric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, Formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, custom PAA formulations, and many others.

The operation is designed for both scale and flexibility, with batch sizes ranging from 330 to 40,000 gallons and infrastructure that supports custom formulation and toll manufacturing within the same system.

What sets it apart is control. Brainerd operates its own transportation fleet, eliminating third-party handoffs and maintaining chain-of-custody from production to delivery.

For customers requiring private labeling, blind shipment, or specialized packaging, those capabilities are built in—not bolted on.

Fix the Constraint

If blending is driving cost, limiting throughput, or increasing risk, it’s time to change the model.

The right partner doesn’t just produce chemicals. They remove friction from your operation.

Talk to a Brainerd blending specialist:brainerdchemical.com/getstartednow

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of specialty and commodity chemicals serving agriculture, water treatment, energy, and industrial markets nationwide, with integrated packaging, logistics, and regulatory compliance capabilities.

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Brainerd Chemical Company

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🌐 www.BrainerdChemical.com

Why the ICIS Top 100 Matters

In the chemical industry, reputation is built on performance, reliability, compliance and consistent stewardship across complex supply chains — not marketing language.

That’s why independent industry benchmarks matter.

The ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors ranking, published by ICIS Chemical Business, evaluates distributors globally based on revenue scale, market reach, and industry impact. ICIS tracks global chemical markets in over 120 countries. Inclusion signals more than size — it reflects operational discipline, regulatory alignment, and sustained market relevance in a highly scrutinized industry.

For customers operating in time-sensitive markets such as agriculture, water treatment, energy, and manufacturing, chemical supplier stability is not optional. Reliability directly influences regulatory compliance, operational uptime, and total cost control.

As Jason Jacobus, Vice President, Business Development at Brainerd Chemical, explains: “Brainerd Chemical Company’s recognition in the ICIS Top 100 chemical distributors reflects the strength of our safety culture, our people, and our operational discipline. In markets where disruption has real consequences, reliability is not optional.”

In today’s environment—where supply chain volatility, sustainability expectations, and regulatory complexity continue to intensify—independent, third-party benchmarking provides an objective measure of market presence and operational capability. As Joseph Chang, Global Editor of ICIS Chemical Business, observed, “Tariff uncertainty and resulting macroeconomic volatility has been the key theme this year, creating an environment where chemical distributors can demonstrate their value to both suppliers and customers.” Scale alone is insufficient; it must be matched by stewardship, logistics expertise, and disciplined long-term partnership execution. Industry benchmarks do not define a company’s values; rather, they provide evidence of whether those values translate into consistent, measurable performance.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of specialty and commodity chemicals serving agriculture, water treatment, energy, and industrial markets nationwide, with integrated packaging, logistics, and regulatory compliance capabilities.

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Brainerd Chemical Company

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🌐 www.BrainerdChemical.com

Why Talent Is a Strategic Priority

Every year, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) annual meeting offers a clear snapshot of where the industry is headed. But this year, one theme rose above the rest: the companies winning the next decade are the ones investing in people, not just processes.

“In today’s chemical industry, strategy only matters if you have the people who can execute it. Talent, training, and leadership development are now as critical to competitiveness as safety and supply reliability.”
— Matt Brainerd, Chairman, Brainerd Chemical Company

With regulatory pressures reshaping operations, global trade dynamics introducing new volatility, and customers expecting more transparency and responsiveness than ever before, workforce capability has become a true differentiator. The companies developing their people — their judgment, leadership, technical expertise, and communication skills — are the ones building the strongest foundations for growth.

A Competitive Advantage

For decades, the chemical sector has leaned heavily on operational efficiency, footprint, and supply reliability. While these remain essential, the industry’s evolution is forcing an additional layer of capability: talent that can think, adapt, lead, and collaborate in increasingly complex environments.

In this environment, people become the stabilizing force, the problem-solvers who ensure reliability, trust, and resilience even when market conditions shift. That’s why the conversations at ACD focused not only on where the industry is going, but who will lead it forward.

A Path Forward

Brainerd Chemical has long believed that industry leadership isn’t defined by scale, but by the discipline, capability, and character of your people. Talent is a strategic differentiator in chemical distribution as essential as supply reliability and safety performance.

The companies building stronger teams today aren’t just more competitive — they’re building stronger a more resilient chemical industry for tomorrow.

Brainerd Chemical’s CARE Program Strengthens Communities

Brief: Brainerd Chemical Company’s CARE Program—Community, Awareness, Respect, and Engagement—turns corporate responsibility into measurable community impact. Across all our facilities, Brainerd employees actively support education, safety, and well-being through partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and first responders. From sponsoring STEM scholarships and serving meals with the City Lights Foundation to hosting emergency-preparedness tours and supplying thousands of students with school essentials, CARE reflects Brainerd’s deep commitment to the people and communities.

Building a Culture of Community, Awareness, Respect, and Engagement

At Brainerd Chemical Company, giving back isn’t an afterthought — it’s a guiding principle. Through our CARE Program — Community, Awareness, Respect, and Engagement — Brainerd employees across all six U.S. locations dedicate time, talent, and resources to support the people and places that make our work possible.

From classroom visits to first-responder preparedness tours, the CARE Program demonstrates how a values-driven company can make measurable, human-centered impact — locally and nationally.

Strengthening the Places We Call Home

United Way Tulsa-Area Volunteer Event
In partnership with the Tulsa Area United Way, Brainerd employees recently joined dozens of community volunteers to sort supplies, assemble resource kits, and support local nonprofits. The event reflected Brainerd’s belief that lasting success begins with helping people thrive where they live and work.

Back-to-School Resource Fair Support
Brainerd also contributed thousands of school supplies — scissors, erasers, and activity sheets — to the 8th Annual Back-to-School Resource Fair in Tulsa, ensuring more than 2,000 students started the year with the tools they need to learn and succeed.

Family & Community Festivals
At events like Tulsa Tough, Brainerd turns corporate sponsorship into family fun — hosting games, inflatables, and community activities that connect employees, neighbors, and families in celebration of local pride.

Awareness: Investing in Education and the Next Generation

Seaford Central Elementary Visit
At Brainerd’s Seaford, Delaware facility, team members visited Seaford Central Elementary School to engage with students and teachers — sharing encouragement, delivering classroom resources, and fostering early curiosity in science and technology.

STEM Scholarships Through FOSSI
Brainerd also supports the Future of STEM Scholars Initiative (FOSSI) — an American Chemistry Council partnership that provides scholarships and mentoring to underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Events like Swings for STEM help fund those programs and open pathways into chemical industry careers.

Respect: Serving with Compassion and Integrity

Volunteer Work with City Lights Foundation
In Tulsa, Brainerd employees joined City Lights Foundation in serving meals and providing direct assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness. The effort reinforced Brainerd’s respect for every individual’s dignity — and the belief that businesses can be agents of compassion.

Inclusive Sports & Community Events
Brainerd volunteers also supported Special Olympics Oklahoma by officiating cornhole challenges and cheering on athletes. Through this involvement, employees demonstrated how simple acts of presence and encouragement can create lasting connections.

Engagement: Empowering Preparedness and Safety

First-Responder Safety & Preparedness Tours
Each year, Brainerd opens its facilities to local fire, EMS, and law-enforcement agencies for site walkthroughs and safety briefings. The goal: to ensure responders are familiar with site layouts, equipment, and materials before an emergency ever occurs.

At the Tuttle, Oklahoma plant, these tours have become an annual tradition that strengthens trust between Brainerd and its surrounding community. It’s a model being replicated across all Brainerd sites.

Why CARE Matters

For Brainerd Chemical, CARE isn’t just a program — it’s part of the company’s DNA. Each initiative connects directly to core business values:

  • Safety and Stewardship — embodied through first-responder outreach and community education.
  • Empowerment and Education — shown through STEM partnerships and school engagement.
  • Compassion and Collaboration — reflected in volunteerism and human-service partnerships.
  • Transparency and Trust — built through open communication and consistent presence in local communities.

Brainerd’s CARE Program turns corporate citizenship into meaningful action — demonstrating that the same precision and accountability driving chemical excellence can also drive positive community change.

Join the CARE Movement

Brainerd Chemical invites community partners, educators, first responders, and nonprofits to join the CARE mission. Together, we can create safer, stronger, and more connected communities — one act of care at a time.

👉 Learn more or partner with us: brainerdchemical.com

About Brainerd Chemical Company
Brainerd Chemical Company is one of the nation’s leading chemical manufacturers and distributors, supporting industries from energy and agriculture to water treatment and manufacturing. We combine proven expertise with innovative packaging, logistics, and service solutions to help our partners achieve efficiency, safety, and long-term success.

Highlights from ChemEdge 2025

Louisville, KY – August 18, 2025 — Last week, leaders from across the chemical distribution industry gathered for ChemEdge 2025, one of the year’s most anticipated events hosted by the Alliancefor Chemical Distribution (ACD). The energy was high, the conversations meaningful, and the outlook for the future of our industry brighter than ever.

Brainerd Chemical Company was proud to participate once again as a Platinum Sustaining Sponsor, reaffirming our commitment to supporting the growth, innovation, and safety of the chemical distribution community.

Why ChemEdge Matters

ChemEdge is more than just a conference—it’s a hub where chemical industry professionals come together to:

  • Share knowledge on best practices, regulatory updates, and emerging technologies.
  • Build connections that strengthen our industry network and foster long-term partnerships.
  • Prepare for the future by tackling challenges head-on and identifying opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and growth.

For Brainerd Chemical, these pillars align directly with our mission: to safely supply our customers with the solutions they need, the expertise they want, and the reliability they depend on.

Our Takeaways from Louisville

This year’s ChemEdge offered more than just great sessions and conversations—it highlighted where the industry is headed. Key themes included:

  • Safety as the standard, not the exception. From new regulatory frameworks to practical on-site strategies, safety remains at the core of our industry.
  • Sustainability in action. Companies are finding innovative ways to lower environmental impact while improving efficiency.
  • The power of partnerships. The future of chemical distribution depends on collaboration across the supply chain, from producers to distributors to end-users.

Looking Ahead

We are energized by the insights, connections, and opportunities that came out of ChemEdge 2025. Events like this remind us why our work matters—not just for our company, but for the people, communities, and industries we serve.

As a platinum sponsor, we were honored to support ACD’s mission of advancing a safe, sustainable, and successful chemical distribution industry.

Here’s to another successful ChemEdge—and to building a stronger future, together.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a leading U.S. manufacturer and distributor of specialty and commodity chemicals, serving critical industries including energy, agriculture, water treatment, and manufacturing. Our mission is to safely supply the solutions our customers need, the expertise they want, and the reliability they depend on—every single day.

👉 Did you attend ChemEdge 2025? We’d love to hear your biggest takeaway. Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Commitmed to First Responder Preparedness

Tulsa, OK – June 4, 2025 — Brainerd Chemical Company, a national leader in chemical manufacturing and distribution, once again welcomed local first responders to its Tuttle, Oklahoma, facility for its annual safety walkthrough and emergency preparedness tour.

This annual tradition underscores Brainerd’s long-standing commitment to proactive safety measures and strong community partnerships. The event is designed to give emergency personnel a hands-on orientation of the site’s layout, operations, and emergency protocols—ensuring rapid, informed response in the event of an incident.

“At Brainerd, safety isn’t just a compliance requirement—it’s a core value,” said Jason Jacobus, VP of Business Development. “We believe in empowering our teams and our community partners with the knowledge and resources they need to keep everyone safe.”

At Brainerd Chemical, safety and responsible distribution are fundamental principles shaping our operations. First responder safety tours are a regular part of Brainerd’s operational calendar and take place at all six of the company’s U.S. manufacturing and distribution facilities. Locations in Scooba, MS; Seaford, DE; Danville, IL; Dunn, NC; and Tuttle, OK, each host their own first responder tours to ensure regional emergency teams are well-acquainted with site-specific hazards, layouts, and response plans. These efforts reflect Brainerd’s consistent, company-wide approach to safety and preparedness. It’s a mindset that facilitates consistently safer work environments that far exceed industry standards and lead the way to continuously improving health, safety, security, and environmental procedures in every phase of chemical manufacturing, production, service, storage, handling, transportation and disposal.

The Tuttle event brought together members of local fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies, all of whom play a vital role in the region’s emergency response network. Brainerd Chemical expressed its sincere appreciation for their service and ongoing collaboration.

Brainerd Chemical was recently recognized again as one of Oklahoma’s top workplaces—a testament to its investment in employee safety, innovation, and operational excellence.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

For more than 65 years, Brainerd Chemical has been at the forefront of the specialty chemical industry, providing high-hazard chemistries and advanced blending and distribution solutions. As a hybrid distributor, Brainerd supports clients across diverse sectors with faster, safer, and more sustainable delivery—thanks to its strategically located rail terminals and bulk storage facilities across the U.S.

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Focus on Food Safety at CheeseCon 2025

Tulsa, OK April 3rd, 2025 // Specialty chemical manufacturer Brainerd Chemical Company is showcasing its food safety, processing, and facility hygiene products at CheeseCon, April 15-17, 2025, at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, WI.

Brainerd Chemical Company helps food producers across the country win the battle against pathogenic organisms and deliver goods more safely while improving operational efficiencies. Rely on Brainerd Chemical company to supply an comprehensive array of chemistries including mixed acids, phosphoric acid, sodium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide blends, sulfuric acid, and our Terrastat® line of PAA antimicrobial products.

Want to learn more? Visit https://brainerdchemical.com/safety-food/ and find out how the Brainerd team and our comprehensive product line will help you improve your operational efficiency.

About Brainerd Chemical Company

Brainerd Chemical Company is a leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative food safety chemistries, delivering wide-ranging solutions that optimize operational efficiencies for managing food, water and facilities safe and clean. Brainerd Chemical offers a complete line of EPA and FDA approved products for a variety of industries including food & beverage, meat and poultry processing, agriculture, animal health, industrial water treatment, oil & gas, wastewater treatment and more.

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Brainerd Chemical Showcase at AFPM 2025 

Tulsa, OK March 17, 2025 // Specialty chemical manufacturer Brainerd Chemical Company is showcasing its comprehensive product line at the AFPM International Petrochemical Conference March 23rd through 25th in San Antonio, TX. 

The AFPM International Petrochemical Conference is one of the largest petrochemical events in the world, attracting thousands of participants from companies across the globe. Brainerd Chemical Company welcomes the opportunity to share and hear insights from industry leaders on key political, economic and environmental issues facing the petrochemical industry. 

Brainerd Chemical Company helps the oil and gas industry enhance productivity while safeguarding people, assets, and the environment. We serve the energy industry through a broad offering of solvents, alcohols, glycols, surfactants, silicones, glycol ethers, amines, and other various acids as well as innovative PAA biocides that reduce bacteria, hydrogen sulfide, iron sulfide and other oilfield contaminates without the harmful byproducts and safety risks associated with traditional chemistries.  

Available in 5%, 15% and 22% concentrations, Terrastat® PAA biocides offer high oxidation potential, and can be a faster, more effective biocide. It’s safer and more efficient because it’s ready to use without the need for onsite mixing. And, because PAA complies with many new legal guidelines, Terrastat® biocides help you protect your investment while also protecting the land.  

Whether you’re thinking of switching from traditional biocides like CIO2 or looking for a way to boost the effectiveness across your operations, the Brainerd Chemical team will help you better achieve your goals. We’d be honored to connect and learn about your critical challenges. Join the Brainerd Chemical team March 23rd through 25th at the Grand Hyatt in San Antonio, TX. 

Read to learn more? Visit https://brainerdchemical.com/oil-and-gas and find out how the Brainerd team and our comprehensive product line can help you improve your operational efficiency.  

About Brainerd Chemical Company 

Brainerd Chemical Company – is a leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative solutions for oil and gas producers that optimize operational efficiencies. Brainerd produces a complete line of EPA and FDA approved products for a variety of industries including oil & gas, wastewater treatment, industrial water treatment, meat and poultry processing, food & beverage, agriculture, animal health, mining and more.  

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Brainerd Chemical Again Honored as Top Workplace in Oklahoma

Tulsa, OK Dec 15, 2024 // Brainerd Chemical Company is proud to again be named a ‘Top Place to Work’ in Oklahoma, cementing its reputation as a leader in workplace excellence. Chairman and CEO Mat Brainerd shared, “Stewardship is at the heart of everything we do. It’s the principle that drives us to prioritize people over profits and make decisions based on what’s right, not what’s easy.”

Recognized in the mid-sized company category (35 to 149 employees) by The Oklahoman, this prestigious award highlights Brainerd Chemical’s commitment to fostering a positive, people-centered workplace environment.

2024 Oklahoma Top Workplaces Award

The annual prestigious ‘Top Workplace’ recognition highlights companies that excel in fostering work environments where employees thrive at work and in their personal lives. This accolade is driven entirely by anonymous employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology provider Energage. The confidential survey measures the employee experience including how employees feel respect & support, enabled to grow, and empowered to execute, balanced in work and life and other key areas. Gregg Johnson, Brainerd Chemical HR Director, expressed it best: “This achievement underscores the importance we place on listening to and empowering our team. I am honored to be part of a team that values our employees’ voices and efforts, and this recognition is a testament to everyone’s commitment to creating an exceptional workplace!”

About Brainerd Chemical Company

For over 65 years, Brainerd Chemical has dared to do the challenging work that builds a more sustainable chemical industry by creating, blending and distributing specialized manufactured chemistries. We specialize in supplying high hazard chemistries and their transportation. As a hybrid distributor, we’re transforming the industry, supporting clients with faster, safer and more efficient delivery. Our robust rail terminals and bulk storage warehouses are strategically positioned across the U.S. for domestic and international delivery.

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