Since 1921, Ethyl Corporation has provided chemical manufacturing and supply solutions to enhance the performance of products across diverse industries.  Our more than 75 years of experience in worldwide chemical manufacturing means we are ready with the solutions you need today.

Our History

In 1921 Charles Kettering discovered that a certain combination of chemicals added to gasoline could reduce the noisy and harmful engine “knock” produced by gasoline of that time. Kettering formed the General Motors Chemical Corporation, a joint venture between General Motors and Standard Oil of New Jersey in 1923. A year later, the company became Ethyl Gasoline Corporation and finally, Ethyl Corporation in 1942.

Today, Ethyl Corporation manufactures and distributes diesel cetane improver and gasoline performance additives throughout North America.  In addition, Ethyl provides terminal storage and distribution services from its Houston, Texas and Dordrecht, Holland facilities. 

Ethyl also has a significant interest in the tetraethyl lead (TEL) business through marketing agreements with Innospec Inc.  This sunset business continues to generate strong cash flow for the company.   

Ethyl maintains operations in Richmond, Virginia; Houston, Texas; Sarnia, Ontario, Canada; Brussels, Belgium; and Dordrecht, Holland.