Dr. Fernando Montemayor

Plant Manager | Chemicals | Metals Recycling

Northport, Alabama, United States

About

With over 7 years at Steel Dust Recycling, I lead operations at a state-of-the-art facility specializing in recycling Electric Arc Furnace steel dust using Waelz Kiln technology. Our focus is on reclaiming valuable materials like zinc and producing high-quality Crude Zinc Oxide and Waelz Iron Product for industrial applications. My role involves overseeing plant operations, ensuring efficiency in metals recycling processes, and maintaining product quality. My career spans leadership roles in global chemical, polymer, and petrochemical manufacturing, where I have contributed to process engineering and operational improvements. By leveraging expertise in process engineering, polymers, and petrochemicals, I strive to enhance operational workflows, promote sustainability, and deliver value through innovation and excellence in manufacturing.

Experience

  • Plant Manager at Steel Dust Recycling, LLC
    Jun 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 1 mo

    Steel Dust Recycling plant recycles Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steel dust utilizing the Waelz Kiln technology. EAF dust, generated by steel mills contains zinc. SDR's brand-new facility specializes in the reclamation of zinc and other metals from this dust. SDR’s main product is Waelz Oxide also known as Crude Zinc Oxide (CZO). This product is transformed into zinc oxide, zinc sulfate or zinc metal by zinc smelters. Our plant also produces Waelz Iron Product (WIP), an Iron Concentrate.

  • Plant Manager at DuraFiber Technologies
    May 2016 - Aug 2017 · 1 yr 4 mos

    A Multinational firm and global leader in the supply of high-tenacity polyester fibers and fabrics and advanced materials with operations in the US, Mexico, France, and Germany.

  • Production Manager at M&G Resins USA, LLC
    Dec 2013 - May 2016 · 2 yrs 6 mos

    M&G Chemicals is building the world’s largest PTA/PET plant in Corpus Christi, TX, a vertically integrated PTA/PET plant with an expected nominal capacity of 1,100 kMT/year for PET plant and 1,300 kMT/year for PTA plant.

  • Production Manager (Evonik)/ Director of Manufacturing (Baker Hughes) at Evonik / Baker Hughes
    Jan 2011 - Nov 2013 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    ✔ Production Manager at Polyacrylate Polymer Plant (SAP) Super absorbent polymer ✔ Operational Consolidation for commercialization of new generation of Super absorbent Polymers. ✔ Successful production of Super absorber Production for Food Industry (FDA regulations). ✔ Coordination of successful start up of Combined Cycle Cogeneration Unit ✔ Development of competitive edge product for P&G customer. ✔ Responsible of operation of R&D semi-works plant for experimentation and develop of new product ✔ Development of Zinc-sacrificial corrosion protection in chilled water system ✔ Production of Polyethylene (crystalline) ✔ Production of Specialties Polymers (started as Production Manager in Baker Hughes)

  • Production Manager at Alpek
    Mar 1995 - Dec 2010 · 15 yrs 10 mos

    ✔ Production Manager of 1 Million metric tons – Petrochemical Terephthalic Acid plant. ✔ Lead world-class facility producing Polyester and PET plastic raw materials. ✔ Production Responsible to consolidate Plant Project Expansion (80% increase of production). ✔ Fernando led the operating consolidation of New Distillation System. ✔ Fernando led significant cost reductions in raw materials and energy consumption $12 -14 Million based on implementation of operation excellence strategies and reliability plant improvements. ✔ Process optimization of all the PTA plants of Petrotemex/DAK Americas group (technical design, and operational excellence). ✔ Innovation Team Leader to launch and lead Innovative Projects of PTA Plants in Mexico and U.S. - Multiple roles play inside the organization, process engineer, project manager, utilities manager, and production manager (last position).