Manufacturing high quality pharmaceutical gypsum has begun in a new $2.3 million complex in Richfield.
The plant has seven employees, and owners hope to increase that to 20 within a year.The Diamond R Gypsum Plant is west of the Cove View Golf Course and I-70, southwest of Richfield. It is owned by Phillip and Karen Palmer.
They said the plant is operating 12 hours daily and assert that the quality of the pharmaceutical gypsum is the highest in the world. The plant is also producing solution-grade gypsum, a soil supplement that is used by farmers, many in California.
Medicines, cosmetics and food processing use pharmaceutical-grade gypsum. Water retention is improved and effects of fertilizers enhanced by using the solution-grade product.
Gypsum has played an important role in Sevier County's economy for decades. Two gypsum plants in the town of Sigurd have provided employment to hundreds of workers through the years, producing mostly wallboard and plaster.
The Palmers said their new facility is the only mill they are aware of that uses high grade stainless steel components to produce food and pharmaceutical-grade gypsum. They said they wanted to be environmentally responsible while enhancing the appearance of the area with their new plant.
The gypsum is hauled to the five-building complex from area quarries. The products are either packaged in 50 or 2,400-pound bags or are shipped out in bulk by trucks.
The Palmers owned a trucking company for about 20 years before developing and building their new pharmaceutical gypsum plant.