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Chattem
Chemicals, Inc. has a rich history as part of Chattem,
Inc,
which was founded as the Chattanooga Medicine
Company on February 21, 1879. It began operations in a small unpretentious
2-story brick building located on a muddy, unpaved road called Market
Street in the heart of downtown Chattanooga. Chattanooga Medicine Company
was the maker of many recognizable products including Thedford’s
Black Draught®, a senna based laxative, originally
developed in 1840 by Dr. A.Q. Simmons of Snow Hill, Georgia.
Just after World War II, the seeds of today's Chattem Chemicals were sown. One of the first new
antacid compounds commonly known as Dihydroxy
Aluminum Aminoacetate was developed. Shortly thereafter,
Dr. Irvine W. Grote, a Company advisor, discovered a second new antacid, Dihydroxy Aluminum Sodium. The fine chemicals division
until recently for use in "Bufferin"
and "Rolaids" manufactured these two compounds, respectively.
Internal research efforts also gave birth to "Pamabrom", a diuretic used to
reduce menstrual discomfort. Pamabrom remains one
of the key products manufactured today along with USP Glycine (Amino acetic
Acid) for the injectable market.
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In 1995 Elcat, Inc. purchased the
chemical division of Chattem, giving birth to 'Chattem Chemicals, Inc.'. Elcat was the parent company of Electrocatalytic
Products, which was formed in 1986 in a management buyout from Engelhard
Chemicals Co. The company has a long history of manufacturing and
engineering in the electrochemical field. Products included CAPAC®, an
impressed current cathodic protection system for
full hull protection in sea going vessels. The company also manufactured Chloropac® systems, a patented electro-chlorination
system to prevent fouling from bacterial growth in cooling water.
In 1998, Elcat sold Electrocatalytic to focus on the Chemicals business in
Chattanooga. In 1999, Elcat acquired Arenol, a small controlled substances manufacturer in
New Jersey and move operations to its Chattanooga site.
Today Chattem Chemicals, Inc.
manufacturers a broad variety of products in four primary markets: Active
Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Catalysts, Surfactants
& Performance Additives. Today we are focused on growth in controlled
substances in our API unit. Our product includes several psychoactive
amines, barbiturates, and methenamine salts. 
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