SNF is the world’s largest flocculant and coagulant polymer producer, with state-of-the-art manufacturing plants strategically placed around the globe. To ensure our product line is constantly in line with the customers ‘ever-changing’ operational objective, Regional SNF Technical Centers (RSTC) have been placed local to the operations they serve, as well as highly technical head R&D laboratories located at each manufacturing site.
POLYMER SOLUTIONS FOR OIL SANDS PERFORMANCE
SNF delivers customized polymer technologies that help Oil Sands producers maximize production and reduce total operating costs—whether through open-pit mining or in-situ recovery. Backed by global manufacturing strength, local R&D, and specialized equipment engineering, SNF provides end-to-end support that keeps operations running efficiently.
Our solutions help operators:
- Optimize water management by recycling and reusing clean process water, lowering utility and treatment costs.
- Implement innovative tailings management technologies that reduce land use, speed reclamation, and cut rehandling costs.
- Enhance thickening and dewatering efficiency to recover hot process water faster for boiler feed and bitumen separation.
Capabilities Worldwide. Support Right Where You Operate.
Oil Sands Communication Flow
Oil Sands Communication Flow
Customer Engagement
We meet directly with key customers to review KPI performance, align on new corporate priorities, and confirm what support is needed from SNF. Key takeaways are shared with the SNF technical team so actions and follow-ups are clearly defined.
R&D, Continuous Improvement, and Manufacturing
SNF works with the producer to refine performance and reduce operating cost using the current chemical program. We routinely screen both existing and newly developed products to confirm the best-fit program is in place as conditions and targets evolve.
Trials and On-Site Support
When a customer approves a trial to improve performance with a new polymer, SNF provides full trial support—people, logistics, and training—to ensure the trial is executed safely, efficiently, and consistently.
Operations and Field Service
Based on customer needs, SNF local field personnel provide regular site visits to verify polymer equipment is operating correctly and the chemical program is performing as intended.
Application Process and Engineering Support
SNF’s Application Technical Group and Floquip Engineering conduct quarterly process audits to confirm equipment reliability, identify issues, recommend upgrades, and verify polymer quality is optimized for the application. Findings are reviewed with the customer, and feedback is used to guide next steps.
TAILORED POLYMER SOLUTIONS FOR OIL SANDS
SNF offers a complete portfolio of specialty polymer technologies engineered to optimize every stage of Oil Sands production—from tailings treatment and water recovery to drag reduction and dust control. Click each category below to explore how our tailored chemistries and application expertise can enhance performance and reduce operational costs.
OIL SANDS MINING
- Flocculants
- Coagulants
- Filtration and Mechanical Dewatering Aids
- Drag Reducers
- Dust Suppression
SAGD
- Flocculants & Coagulants
- Filter Aids & Antifoulants
Transportation & LogisticsWORLD-CLASS PRODUCTION FACILITIES SUPPORTING CANADIAN MARKETS
SNF delivers the Oil Sands industry’s most comprehensive polymer logistics and site-support program—an integrated, vendor-managed supply model that no competitor can match. With decades of combined applied polymer experience, our team ensures that customers receive the right product, at the right time, backed by the technical expertise required for peak application performance.
SNF’s North American logistics network moves high-volume polymer products from our U.S. manufacturing plants to Alberta through dedicated bulk rail hopper cars, intermodal containers, bulk containers, and 750-kg bags, all coordinated through our regional hubs. Product-specific storage silos feed dedicated pneumatic trailers for streamlined on-site delivery, inventory tracking, and rapid replenishment based on live consumption data.
To guarantee operational continuity, SNF maintains significant emergency inventory for supply chain resiliency in Alberta—ensuring supply stability even during disruption or demand spikes. Standardized connection systems and efficient unloading procedures minimize downtime, delivering a seamless supply experience from plant to field.
SNF brings together manufacturing scale, specialized logistics, deep technical knowledge, and on-site service—creating a fully integrated supply and support model that keeps operations running and performance optimized.
Logistics Excellence
Supported by dedicated world-class production facilities serving Canadian markets, SNF’s transportation model combines global manufacturing strength with local delivery precision.
- Vendor-owned and managed inventory (VOMI)
- Bulk rail hopper car supply
- Product-specific pneumatic trailer delivery to site
- Eight weeks of supply chain coverage + emergency stock
- Real-time silo and warehouse inventory monitoring
Site Services & Operational Support
Our field teams ensure that polymer is not only delivered—but performing.
- Equipment audits
- Dosage profiling
- Hydration efficiency checks
- Residual polymer detection
- Daily/weekly performance reporting
- Quarterly product selection testing
Polymer Equipment & Engineering
SNF’s Global Equipment and Engineering Division, operating under the FLOQUIP™ brand, delivers innovative polymer handling solutions designed for efficiency, reliability, and performance. From custom hydration units and metering systems to pump skids and engineered polymer makedown equipment, FLOQUIP systems are built to perform in any Oil Sands environment. Backed by a dedicated team of engineers and technical experts in Alberta and throughout North America, SNF provides complete support—from design and installation to optimization and operator training—ensuring your equipment runs smoothly and delivers maximum value.
Site Services / Trials
At SNF, we take pride in delivering exceptional on-site services tailored to each customer’s operational goals. Our expert teams combine technical knowledge with hands-on experience to maximize polymer performance, equipment reliability, and overall process efficiency.
Our comprehensive site services include:
- Application Optimization & Troubleshooting – Our application specialists work directly with clients to fine-tune polymer performance, resolve process challenges, and ensure optimal system functionality.
- Field Technician Support – Skilled field technicians provide continuous monitoring and performance verification to maintain consistency and meet key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Inventory Management – SNF supports proactive inventory tracking and replenishment strategies to prevent shortages and maintain uninterrupted operations.
- Equipment Oversight – Our team ensures that SNF make-down and feed systems operate reliably through regular inspection, calibration, and maintenance.
In addition, SNF offers comprehensive field trial support, partnering closely with customers to evaluate and optimize new polymer applications. From initial setup and execution to data analysis and process improvement, our team provides end-to-end support to ensure successful implementation and measurable results.
Laboratory and R&D Services
SNF’s dedicated R&D team of polymer specialists brings deep expertise in polymer science and macromolecular engineering, working closely with our local technical representatives to ensure every new product meets customer needs and industry standards.
Our Regional SNF Technical Center (RSTC) in Edmonton, Alberta, serves the Athabasca Oil Sands Region, providing advanced facilities for tailings and dewatering testing under real-world operating conditions.
SNF also conducts application-specific testing to evaluate polymer performance in customer process environments, including end-of-pipe treatment, thickeners, centrifuges, filter presses, and warm or hot lime softening systems. These tailored evaluations help ensure optimal chemistry selection and field performance for every operation.
In-House Testing Capabilities:
Continuous Improvement
At SNF, we work directly with clients to understand the key performance indicators (KPIs) that define each dewatering application. This alignment drives our commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring both process optimization and ongoing product advancement.
Our specialized team structure provides targeted technical support across industries:
- Industry Specialists: R&D chemists and engineers dedicated to specific market segments, bringing deep technical expertise and driving innovation in new product development.
- Application Specialists: Experts who conduct process audits, identify optimization opportunities, and perform bench-scale testing to evaluate chemistries and application methods.
- Trial Support: Data-driven trial design aligned with customer KPIs, supported by Field Technicians who ensure successful execution and verify performance outcomes.
With SNF, continuous improvement is not an initiative—it’s built into the way we operate.
Indigenous Partnership
Since 2021, SNF has partnered with Fort McKay Industrial Solutions (FMIS), a division of McKay Métis Group — the business arm wholly owned by the Fort McKay Métis Nation. This Indigenous partnership ensures that community benefits are realized alongside our operating partners, contributing directly to the social and economic well-being of the Nation. This shared commitment aligns with both SNF’s goals and those of our customers in the Oil Sands region, driving the collective success of all stakeholders.
FMIS Website