A new century brings innovative ideas. The company begins a drive to develop innovative chemical processes. The ultimate result will be involvement in many new areas.
The development of the citric acid extraction process pioneered by Charles Pfizer sees H.J. Baker playing a key role. The company is also involved in the sulphur extraction process developed by Dr. Herman Frasch. H.J. Baker is destined to become the first international agent for Texas Gulf Sulphur.
World War I ushers in the boom years. H.J. Baker continues its expansion. In succeeding decades the company begins handling such commodities as guarseed meal, Cuban bat guano, Peruvian bird guano, and Venezuelan goat manure. Prior to World War II, the company also becomes one of the first sales agents for activated sludge and Chilean nitrate of soda.
The late 1950's sees H.J. Baker buying fish meal plants on the coast of Peru. To serve its fleets, the company establishes plants at Chimbote and Mollendo. These produce fishmeal for animal feeds, along with refined oil.
