About Valentra
Working with you for a safer, more sustainable future.
A history of chemical excellence
For more than 65 years, Valentra has specialized in producing raw chemicals that support manufacturers to develop the products we all use every day. The company we are today grew out of the Gail Borden Jr. and Company, which was founded in 1857 to produce condensed milk. In 1960, we founded our facility in Geismar, LA to produce methanol and vinyl acetate.
We established our first pipeline-integrated facility in 1976, and this formed a blueprint for the growth that has resulted in us becoming the leading producer of formalin in North America.
In the past 50 years, we have expanded our Geismar facility to include two world-scale formalin pipeline-integrated production facilities and established two further integrated sites in Baytown, TX and Luling, LA. This firmly establishes Valentra as the leading producer and supplier at the heart of the US Gulf Coast chemical corridor. We are Members of the American Chemistry Council and the Responsible Care scheme, and we have an exceptional safety record.
Now, under new ownership of the award-winning private equity investor, Ancala Partners, we are committed to maintaining and building out the products and infrastructure services at our three current sites and pursuing opportunities for organic and acquisition-led growth.
Our leadership team
Our leadership team has strong experience across the chemical manufacturing sector, and is ideally positioned to drive Valentra’s continued operational success and future growth.
Alex Mihut
Chief Executive Officer
Alex is responsible for setting the company’s strategy and leading its growth as an infrastructure services provider to the chemical and manufacturing industry. He brings more than 25 years of global leadership experience across chemicals, advanced materials, and manufacturing, with deep expertise in P&L management, business transformation, and capital-intensive operations.
Alex has held senior leadership roles at Ascend Performance Materials and earlier technical and operations roles at Solutia / Monsanto, with a track record of building scalable businesses, expanding global footprints, and driving disciplined execution across complex industrial organizations.
Alicia Williams
Chief Financial Officer
Alicia leads financial strategy, risk management, accounting, tax, and treasury operations across our multi-entity structure which operates under private equity ownership. With nearly 20 years of experience, Alicia’s strengths include financial reporting, technical accounting applications, budgeting and forecasting, translating complex financial matters into clear, actionable insights for stakeholders.
During her career Alicia, who is a CPA, has held positions with increasing responsibility across FP&A and Controllership organizations.
Dave Weber
Chief Commercial Officer
Dave leads our commercial, procurement, and supply chain activities. He brings over 20 years of experience in the chemical industry, with expertise in commercial strategy and execution, cross-functional global leadership, supply chain optimization, and strategic sourcing.
Dave has held positions from Logistics Manager to Procurement Manager to Commercial Manager to Sr. Business Director, with a strong track record of driving improved financial performance, execution of commercial and procurement strategies, and cross-functional collaboration.
Paul Dean
Chief Operating Officer
Paul leads operations, engineering, EHS, and capital projects across the company’s manufacturing network. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning U.S. Navy nuclear submarines, semiconductor manufacturing at Texas Instruments, and leadership roles at Cabot, Ecolab, and Hexion.
Paul has held positions from Plant Manager to Regional Manufacturing Director and VP of Strategic Initiatives, with a strong track record of driving operational excellence, safety performance, and disciplined execution of complex capital and transformation initiatives.
Our locations
Our core operations are currently based in the US Gulf Coast chemical corridor. Our focus on producing quality formalin products together with our ability to deliver to customers safely with no other party involved makes us the leading choice for chemical manufacturers who need direct, reliable and operationally secure supply.
Geismar, LA.
Baytown, TX.
Luling, LA.
Our owners
Valentra is owned by Ancala Partners, an award-winning independent infrastructure private equity investor.
Ancala Partners has a clear history and strategy of investing in critical infrastructure businesses across geographies and sectors – its portfolio currently covers 23 investments. Ancala Partners is committed to working collaboratively with the businesses it invests in to help them create value through strategic, targeted growth and acquisition, maintaining expertise, experience and culture.
Enquire
Please contact us to talk to us about your formalin product and supply requirements. We’re interested in hearing from you if you need large volume, multi-term contract supply and want an embedded, infrastructure-strong partner with stable operations, scalable solutions and resilient equipment and processes.