VLS Environmental Solutions acquires Merichem’s Caustic Services business, expanding sustainable hazardous waste management and beneficial reuse capabilities across chemical industries.
VLS Environmental Solutions has taken a significant step toward reinforcing its position as a leader in hazardous waste management through the acquisition of the Caustic Services business of Merichem Company. This strategic transaction substantially broadens VLS’ capabilities within the chemical and petrochemical sectors while underscoring its long-term commitment to sustainability, beneficial reuse, and environmentally responsible waste solutions.
Founded in 1945, Merichem has earned global recognition for its expertise in the beneficial reuse of spent caustics. Over the past eight decades, the company has consistently transformed complex and hazardous waste streams into valuable inputs for industrial reuse, helping clients reduce environmental impact while maintaining operational efficiency. Merichem’s legacy is deeply rooted in innovation and sustainability, making it a trusted partner for industrial customers seeking alternatives to traditional waste disposal.
According to John Magee, the acquisition represents a major enhancement of VLS’ technical offering. He emphasized that integrating Merichem’s caustic services portfolio enables VLS to deliver some of the most advanced beneficial reuse and caustic waste management solutions available to refinery and industrial markets. By combining expertise, VLS is now positioned to provide a broader, more sophisticated range of sustainable solutions across multiple industries, helping clients meet both regulatory requirements and corporate sustainability objectives.
From Merichem’s perspective, the transaction marks an important evolution of its sustainability-driven mission. Kendra Lee highlighted that joining forces with VLS allows Merichem’s long-standing heritage of environmental stewardship to scale further through VLS’ extensive operational footprint. Under her leadership, Merichem has maintained a strong focus on responsible innovation, high-performance solutions, and exceptional customer service—values that align closely with VLS’ strategic direction.
As regulatory scrutiny intensifies and sustainability targets become more demanding, industrial producers are increasingly seeking alternatives to conventional hazardous waste disposal. The integration of Merichem’s Caustic Services business enables VLS to expand its service portfolio beyond standard hazardous waste treatment. Chris Lobue explained that VLS can now offer beneficial reuse pathways for specific industrial by-products, including spent caustics and sulfur-rich materials. These expanded options are designed to meet stringent regulatory, safety, and operational requirements faced by customers in the chemical and petrochemical industries.
Following the acquisition, Merichem will operate under the new name VLS SustainChem and will be fully integrated into VLS’ Hazardous Waste division. This rebranding reflects the combined organization’s shared focus on sustainable chemistry and advanced environmental solutions.
With a workforce of more than 1,500 employees and operations spanning over 50 locations nationwide, VLS’ acquisition brings together two highly complementary organizations. The combined technical depth, operational scale, and sustainability expertise position VLS to establish a new industry benchmark for the management, treatment, and beneficial reuse of both hazardous and non-hazardous materials. Together, VLS and VLS SustainChem are well equipped to address today’s complex compliance challenges while proactively developing solutions for the evolving needs of the chemical and petrochemical supply chains.
