U.S. Borax
U.S. Borax is a wholly-owned Rio Tinto subsidiary that mines and refines borates from its flagship Boron, California open-pit mine, supplying about 30% of global refined borate demand. It serves industrial and agricultural customers across 100 countries via direct sales and 50+ distribution partners.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1872
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What U.S. Borax does
U.S. Borax is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rio Tinto and the world's leading producer of refined borates, operating since 1872 from the largest known borate deposit at its open-pit mine in Boron, California. From this single flagship asset, plus refining operations in Wilmington (California) and Coudekerque (France), the company supplies approximately 30% of global refined borate demand at roughly 1 million tons of annual capacity. The portfolio spans 19 product brands organized around industrial borates (Optibor boric acid, Firebrake zinc borates, Dehybor, Neobor, Tim-bor wood preservative, Borogard ZB) for glass/fiberglass, polymers, fire retardancy, wood protection, and ceramic glaze applications, and agricultural boron micronutrients (Granubor, Fertibor, Solubor, Liquibor, Zincubor) for crop nutrition. Specialty high-purity grades — Optibor TG (semiconductor/BF3 feedstock) and Optibor BQ (lithium-ion battery cathodes, launched March 2023) — extend the portfolio into electronics and energy storage value chains.
The underlying technology is a multi-step refined borate production process significantly more extensive than raw-mineral processing, supported by an ISO 9001:2015-certified 24/7 Quality Lab performing pre-screening, in-process titration, and finished-product certification, and a Pilot Plant for application R&D and customer formulation assistance. Output quality is differentiated at the hundredth-of-parts-per-million impurity level for high-purity grades.
Revenue is generated through B2B sales of industrial and agricultural borate products, priced via quote-based direct engagement and multi-year supply agreements with annual volume commitments, distributed through a direct global field-sales force with technical marketing experts and a complementary network of more than 50 distribution partners maintaining regional stock points. Customers span seven primary verticals — glass and glass fiber, agriculture, polymers and coatings, wood protection and biocides, ceramics and enamels, electronics/semiconductors, and nuclear energy — across 100 countries and 1,200+ delivery locations.
U.S. Borax firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- U.S. Borax
- Legal name
- U.S. Borax
- Website
- https://www.borax.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1872
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- U.S. Borax is a wholly-owned Rio Tinto subsidiary that mines and refines borates from its flagship Boron, California open-pit mine, supplying about 30% of global refined borate demand. It serves industrial and agricultural customers across 100 countries via direct sales and 50+ distribution partners.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
U.S. Borax industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Minerals & Specialty Chemicals
- NAICS
- Ground or Treated Mineral and Earth Manufacturing (327992)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Borates Mining (IMAKAGAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Industrial Minerals Trading (Phosphate, Potash, Sulfur, Borates, Barite, Talc) (IMAKAJAF)
Keywords
Where U.S. Borax is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
U.S. Borax business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Refined Borate Product Sales: U.S. Borax generates revenue through the sale of refined and specialty borate products including Optibor boric acid, Firebrake zinc borates, Tim-bor wood preservative, Dehybor, Neobor, Borogard ZB, and agricultural products like Solubor, Granubor, Fertibor, and Liquibor. Products are sold directly to industrial customers and through a global network of more than 50 distribution partners.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | B2B industrial and agricultural product sales |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
U.S. Borax product offering
Product offeringCore offering
U.S. Borax mines, refines, and distributes industrial and specialty borate products (boric acid, zinc borates, sodium borates) and agricultural boron fertilizers. Products are manufactured at the Boron, California open-pit mine and at European production sites, then sold globally to industrial manufacturers and agricultural customers via direct sales and a network of 50+ distribution partners.
Product overview
U.S. Borax is a global leader in refined borates and boron compounds, producing a comprehensive portfolio of industrial and agricultural products. The core industrial product line includes Optibor boric acid, Firebrake zinc borates, Tim-bor wood preservative, Dehybor, Neobor, and boric oxide—each serving distinct applications in glass manufacturing, fiberglass, polymers, fire retardancy, and wood protection. The agricultural portfolio features Granubor, Fertibor, Solubor, Liquibor, Zincubor, Anhybor, and Solubor Flow, providing boron micronutrient solutions for crop nutrition. Specialty products include battery-grade Optibor BQ and technical-grade Optibor TG. Products are available in various forms including powders and granules. U.S. Borax supplies approximately 30% of the world's refined borates from their Boron, California mine.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Optibor boric acid
Quantifiable outcome
- Quality conformance improvement from 50% to 80% for automotive headlight glass manufacturer through formulation optimization
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use U.S. Borax
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles7 records
U.S. Borax technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
U.S. Borax partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- NestecoreSupplier of Neste MY Renewable Diesel made from sustainably sourced 100% renewable raw materials including used cooking oil and animal fat waste. U.S. Borax used Neste MY Renewable Diesel during initial trial and full transition of heavy machinery fleet.
- Rolls-RoycecoreTechnology partner for renewable diesel trial collaboration. Worked with U.S. Borax on trialing renewable diesel fuel in haul trucks to determine suitability for open pit mining operations.
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)supportingCollaborated with EPA on the transition to renewable diesel as part of decarbonization efforts. EPA supported the initiative as part of environmental protection goals.
- State of CaliforniasupportingState government partner providing vision and support for renewable diesel transition. California LCFS (Low Carbon Fuel Standard) methodology used for calculating GHG emission reductions.
- CR Minerals Company, LLCcorePartnership for production of pozzolans from waste materials at U.S. Borax facility in Boron, CA. Contributes to decarbonization of concrete through waste utilization.
- China National Pharmaceutical Packaging Association (CNPPA)supportingIndustry association membership for pharmaceutical glass manufacturers in China. Supports proper use of borosilicate glass in pharmaceutical packaging.
- GlassTrendsupportingIndustry association membership supporting glass manufacturing excellence. U.S. Borax member of GlassTrend organization.
- China Fibreglass AssociationsupportingIndustry association membership for fibreglass manufacturers in China. Supports proper use of borates in textile fiberglass production.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
U.S. Borax competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ICL Group: Israeli specialty minerals and fertilizer company producing potash, phosphate, and specialty compounds. Comparable as a diversified specialty mineral and agricultural input producer serving overlapping industrial and agricultural customers.
- Intrepid Potash: U.S. specialty mineral producer focused on potash, langbeinite, and byproducts. Comparable as a North American specialty mineral miner supplying agricultural micronutrients, with overlapping customer channels in fertilizer distribution.
- Tronox Holdings: Global integrated producer of titanium dioxide and zircon, with mineral sands mining operations. Comparable as a publicly traded industrial minerals incumbent with vertically integrated mining and processing.
- Quimica del Rey (Nutrien): Operates one of the world's largest sulfate of potash plants in Mexico as part of Nutrien. Comparable as a major agricultural micronutrient producer serving global fertilizer markets with overlapping distribution and customer relationships.
- Sibelco: Global specialty minerals solutions provider producing silica, nepheline, feldspars, and industrial minerals. Comparable as a large-scale specialty mineral miner and processor supplying industrial glass and ceramics end markets with similar customer profiles.
- Compass Minerals: Produces specialty minerals including sulfate of potash, magnesium chloride, and salt for agricultural and industrial uses. Comparable as a diversified specialty mineral incumbent serving overlapping agricultural and industrial customers.
Direct peers
- American Borate Company: Mines and markets borate minerals including colemanite and ulexite from sources in California and Turkey. Directly comparable to U.S. Borax as a competing borate mineral supplier serving industrial and agricultural end markets.
- Eti Maden: State-owned Turkish mining enterprise and the world's largest borate producer, mining and refining borax, colemanite, and ulexite. Direct head-to-head competitor with U.S. Borax in global refined borate markets across glass, agriculture, and industrial applications.
- Searles Valley Minerals: U.S.-based producer of borates, sodium sulfate, and salt from brines in Searles Valley, California. Competes directly with U.S. Borax in North American borate supply, particularly for industrial and agricultural applications.
Others
- Brenntag: Global chemical and ingredients distributor. Comparable as one of the large distribution partners and indirect competitors in chemical distribution channels serving similar industrial customers with borates and specialty chemicals.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
U.S. Borax social profiles
Digital presenceU.S. Borax compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
U.S. Borax financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
U.S. Borax leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles23 records
U.S. Borax subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
U.S. Borax funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
U.S. Borax M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about U.S. Borax
What does U.S. Borax do?
U.S. Borax mines, refines, and distributes industrial and specialty borate products (boric acid, zinc borates, sodium borates) and agricultural boron fertilizers. Products are manufactured at the Boron, California open-pit mine and at European production sites, then sold globally to industrial manufacturers and agricultural customers via direct sales and a network of 50+ distribution partners.
Is U.S. Borax a public or private company?
U.S. Borax is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was U.S. Borax founded?
U.S. Borax was founded in 1872. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is U.S. Borax based?
U.S. Borax is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does U.S. Borax make money?
One revenue line is on record: refined Borate Product Sales.
Who are U.S. Borax's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ICL Group, Intrepid Potash, Tronox Holdings, Quimica del Rey (Nutrien), Sibelco and Compass Minerals. Direct peers are American Borate Company, Eti Maden and Searles Valley Minerals. Brenntag is listed as an others.
Does U.S. Borax have an API?
No public API is recorded for U.S. Borax.
What industry is U.S. Borax in?
U.S. Borax's product category is Industrial Minerals & Specialty Chemicals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAKAGAD, Borates Mining, with a secondary code of IMAKAJAF, Industrial Minerals Trading (Phosphate, Potash, Sulfur, Borates, Barite, Talc). Its NAICS code is 327992.