Hydrite Chemical to invest $63M in Laurens County expansion

Hydrite Chemical Co., a chemical solutions manufacturer and distributor, is expanding its operations in Laurens County.

S.C. Commerce said the expansion will include a $63 million investment and result in 13 new jobs. Hydrite will build a 50,00-square-foot facility with laboratories, warehouses, offices and operations and logistics space.

“Laurens County would like to thank Hydrite for expanding operations in our county,” Jeff Carroll, Laurens Couty Council chairman, said in a news release. “Their investment and job creation will have a tremendous impact on our community. We wish them much success and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship.”

Hydrite originally landed in Laurens when it acquired Enterprise Specialty Products in September 2025. The purchase was the Wisconsin-based company’s first foray into the Southeast, the company said at the time.

Founded in 1929, Hydrite has spent nearly 100 years developing solutions to keep food safe, water clean and plants healthy through three business units — food and beverage, manufactured solutions, and agriculture and sulfur solutions, according to the release.

The company also has manufacturing facilities, warehouses and laboratories in California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin and Texas.

Hydrite in South Carolina is located in Hunter Industrial park in Laurens, a 43-acre greenfield site.

“Building on our recent acquisition of Enterprise Specialty Products Inc. in Laurens County, we’re proud to deepen our roots in South Carolina with a new greenfield facility,” Hydrite CEO Kevin Honkamp said in the release. “The state’s exceptional business climate and talented workforce make it the right place to invest, create quality jobs and better serve customers across the Southeast and beyond. We are grateful for the support from South Carolina and look forward to being a long-term partner in the Laurens County community’s growth.”

According to the release, the Commerce Department’s Coordinating Council for Economic Development awarded a $300,000 Set-Aside grant to Laurens County to help with the costs of site preparation and building construction.

Hydrite is expected to begin operations in the expanded facilities in 2028.