Solvay's Bussi chlor-alkali revamp plan approved

12 July 2007 18:22  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--Solvay’s restructuring plans for its Italian chlor-alkali plant have been approved by the authorities and trade unions, a company source said on Thursday.

The source said the chloromethane section, which is part of the chlor-alkali business, will remain closed at the Bussi site as it was no longer seen to be profitable.

The original plant will be replaced by a unit with a smaller chlorine capacity, from which by-products including hydrochloric acid (HCl) and caustic soda will be manufactured.

Precise capacity details for the new plant were not yet available.

The source added the new plant was expected to come on stream in early 2008. However, specific dates were not yet disclosed.

In Italy, other restructuring plans include Tessenderlo’s previous announced shutdown of its chlorobenzene and electrolysis plants in northwest Italy due to decreasing margins.

Dow had previously closed its toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) plant at Porta Marghera in August 2007 as part of a global cost-cutting programme.

HCl is a by-product in the production of TDI.

HCl producers include Solvay, Dow, Tessenderlo, Bayer and BASF. HCl is used mainly in the chemical and steel industries and water treatment sector.

By: Heidi Finch
+44 20 8652 3214

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