Union Sulphur Company

The Union Sulphur Company was an American firm instrumental in the commercialization of the Frasch process for mining sulfur. Invented by German-born American chemist Herman Frasch, this method allowed for the extraction of deep-lying sulfur deposits. The process involves melting sulfur with superheated water and then bringing it to the surface using compressed air.

The Union Sulphur Company, co-founded with Frasch, began production in Louisiana in 1894. This innovation made extensive sulfur deposits accessible and economically viable, particularly those found near the Gulf of Mexico. For decades, sulfur produced via the Frasch process dominated the global market, until sulfur recovered from oil and natural gas refining became more significant around 1970.12