Shrieve Chemical Company, a global specialty chemicals distributor backed by Gemspring Capital, has acquired Vertec BioSolvents, a manufacturer of bio-based solvents headquartered in West Chicago, Illinois.
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
The acquisition expands Shrieve’s specialty chemicals portfolio and strengthens its position in markets where customers are seeking lower-impact and more sustainable chemical alternatives. Vertec is known for developing proprietary and patented bio-based solvent blends designed to match or exceed the performance of traditional petroleum-based solvents.
Shrieve said the deal will broaden its capabilities across multiple end markets while enhancing relationships with customers and suppliers.
“Vertec has built a strong reputation for innovative and sustainable chemistry, and we are pleased to welcome their team to Shrieve,” said Joey Gullion, chief executive officer of Shrieve Chemical Company. “This acquisition strengthens our ability to support customers as demand continues to shift toward more environmentally responsible solutions.”
Founded in 2001, Vertec serves customers in agriculture, home, industrial and institutional cleaning, coatings and inks, food, and consumer brands. The company originated through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Argonne National Laboratory.
Its products are marketed as helping customers reduce environmental impact, improve workplace safety, and respond to tightening sustainability requirements across industrial supply chains.
“We’ve built Vertec around innovation in sustainable solvents, and joining Shrieve provides an opportunity to accelerate that work,” said George “Skip” Laubach, chief executive officer of Vertec BioSolvents.
The combination gives Vertec access to Shrieve’s larger distribution platform and international reach. Based in The Woodlands, Texas, Shrieve markets nearly 1,500 products across more than 40 countries through four operating segments: industrial distribution, specialty distribution, specialty lubricants, and energy products and services.
The deal also reflects a broader trend in the chemicals industry, where distributors and manufacturers are expanding portfolios through acquisitions tied to specialty products, sustainability, and higher-margin application expertise.
For Shrieve, adding Vertec brings differentiated product technology as customers increasingly evaluate renewable feedstocks and alternatives to conventional solvents.
Shrieve is a portfolio company of Gemspring Capital, a Westport, Connecticut-based private equity firm with $5.1 billion of capital under management. Gemspring focuses on middle-market investments across sectors including industrials, healthcare, software, and business services.
With the acquisition completed, Shrieve and Vertec are expected to focus on integrating operations, expanding commercial reach, and accelerating product development in sustainable chemistry.
About Shrieve
Shrieve Chemical Company is a value-added chemicals distributor serving industrial and specialty markets worldwide. Founded in 1978, the company operates across distribution, lubricants, and energy-related segments.
About Vertec
Vertec BioSolvents develops proprietary bio-based solvents for agriculture, coatings, cleaning, food, and consumer applications.