BRUSSELS, BELGIUM: Tessenderlo Group has launched a turnaround project to reposition its Loos, France site to focus on the production of water treatment chemicals, securing the group’s leading position in this profitable growth segment. Approximately two thirds of the investment amount, for a total of €75 million, will cover the new production installations, which should be operational by 2016. The balance of the investment encompasses the cleanup of historical soil pollution over the next 10 years.
The project consists of three elements. First of all, the group will make a major investment in a new electrolysis plant for the production of water treatment chemicals. Secondly, the non-competitive production units of pharmaceutical intermediates and of sulfate fertilizers at the Loos site may be closed down. The project also encompasses a multi-year environmental improvement plan to manage the historical soil pollution on the Loos site.
To consolidate its position in the Western European market, the company will invest €75 million on the Loos site in the next decade. The investment will allow the conversion of the existing electrolysis facility to using modern membrane technology, with capacity more than doubling, alongside an environmental plan for the site soil remediation. The two independent production units for pharmaceutical intermediates and sulfate fertilizers at the Loos site do not offer any perspectives of improving their respective situation, the project is therefore to cease manufacturing. Persistent difficult market conditions and a decline in demand of both units have lead to this conclusion.
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