In early 2014, two independent paths began in the oilfield chemical industry.
In January 2014, Trent Staggers started Mission Chemical, a chemical distribution company. In March 2014, Chase Herrell launched a separate business venture in oil & gas services.Although operating independently, both companies navigated similar challenges common to early-stage businesses in the industry: limited assets, reliance on third-party warehousing, and the constant pressure of scaling without infrastructure.
Diving into June 2018, Element Chemicals started as a “lab in a garage,” where early growth began and Chase recognized the need to establish teams to handle different aspects of the business.
In June 2018, Element Chemicals and Mission Chemical deepened their partnership, aligning on a long-term vision despite limited assets and reliance on third-party warehousing. A shared commitment to building permanent infrastructure led to an industrial real estate search, though securing financing required months of persistence as not everybody saw their vision
As momentum built, Jack Legendry stepping forward as an early investor cashing in his own chip and encouraging the team to move forward. His confidence became a defining moment for the company, later honored with a dedicated reactor in his name.
On September 20, 2018, the team officially closed on the plant—just one day before the birth of Chase’s second child gutting a former plywood mill and immediately launching distribution operations to bring the vision to life.
June 2019 marked a shift toward packaging and operational readiness, with investments in pumps, scales, PPE, and bulk material handling, along with key rail infrastructure improvements. A plant manager was hired to design the blending facility and manage construction, laying the groundwork for expanded production.
By November 2019, the blend facility came online with dedicated blend vessels, representing a major milestone in scaling in-house manufacturing capabilities.
2020 marked a critical inflection point as the operation expanded from two to four blend vessels just as COVID-19 drove oil prices to –$47 per barrel, triggering an 80% overnight business decline. Within weeks, the team pivoted, standing up a hand sanitizer unit in 96 hours under a temporary release order.
By April 2020, ethanol storage and sanitizer shipments were underway, followed by May 2020 GMP certification and over 25 million pounds of sanitizer produced by December 2020, stabilizing the business during unprecedented disruption.
2021 marked a return to core business as the company honored early believer Jack while continuing to invest in long-term growth. Two new reactors were commissioned in March 2021, with major construction and gas line infrastructure beginning in June 2021.
By December 2022, the facility was fully producing product. Growth continued into the forward roadmap with a third reactor coming online in June 2025 and full commissioning planned for December 2025, reinforcing a commitment to scalable, reliable operations.
3608 Research Forest Drive, Suite 300
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Main: (346) 550-1896
Sales: (346) 550-1900
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Element Chemicals
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12936 Farm to Market 787
Cleveland, Texas 77327
Main: (346) 550-1895
Sales: (346) 550-1900
