Albemarle Corporation (ALB) is a global developer, manufacturer, and marketer of engineered specialty chemicals. The company operates through three divisions: Lithium, Bromine, and Catalysts. The Lithium division produces lithium compounds such as lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, and other lithium specialties and reagents for use in lithium batteries, high-performance greases, thermoplastic elastomers, catalysts, organic synthesis processes, life sciences, and the pharmaceutical industry. This division also supplies cesium products, zirconium, barium, and titanium products for pyrotechnical applications, as well as reactive lithium product handling services and lithium by-product recycling services.

The Bromine division provides bromine and bromine-based products for fire safety solutions and specialty chemicals, including elemental bromine, alkyl and inorganic bromides, brominated powdered activated carbon, and other bromine fine chemicals for applications in chemical synthesis, oil and gas drilling, mercury control, water purification, and food processing. It also offers other specialty chemicals such as tertiary amines for surfactants, biocides, disinfectants, and sanitizers.

The Catalysts division offers hydroprocessing, isomerization, and alkylation catalysts, fluidized catalytic cracking catalysts and additives, and organometallics and curatives. Albemarle Corporation serves various markets, including energy storage, petroleum refining, consumer electronics, construction, automotive, lubricants, pharmaceuticals, and crop protection. Founded in 1887, the company has its headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.

as of April 11, 2023
ALB is the world’s low-cost lithium leader and the market for lithium continues to grow at 20% a year. It also operates mines OUTSIDE of the slave labor mines of the Congo. Maybe in Chile there are some cheap laborers, but the other two mines are in the United States and Australia. Seems like if things start heating up on African labor, these teritories will be higher valued. Stock down big from its high over $300 per share. If the company keeps booking profit at this level, the shares are a steal at this price.