MOSCOW (MRC) -- Kem One, Europe’s third-largest producer of polyvinyl chloride (PVC),has embarked upon the technological conversion of the-alkali chlorproduction units at its Lavera site. This major construction project, on which research began more than a year ago, is now entering its visible stage, as per the company's statement.
A cornerstone of KEM ONE’s industrial project, the electrolysis conversion forms part of the company’s equipment modernisation plan. This major construction project, totalling around 150 million euros, will be completed by the end of 2016.
The earth-movers, which motored into action on 8 September, will work until the end of October preparing the 1500 m2 expanse of land destined to accommodate a section of the future facilities. The first equipment will be delivered to the site at the end of the year before a peak in activity on the construction site mid-2016. The project will require around fifteen different trades and several hundred workers and experts until the end of 2016, when the new electrolysis technology is due to be launched.
Thanks to the electrolysis membrane technology, the best currently available on the market, Kem One will improve the quality of its productions and reduce its energy consumption whilst using a procedure which generates less pollution and complies with new European regulations.
The cost of this construction project, which is the cornerstone of KEM ONE’s industrial plan, amounts to around 150 million euros. It forms part of a modernisation plan in which the company will invest a total of 250 million euros between 2014 and 2016 to improve its industrial performance. This goal has already been illustrated at the Lavera site where in May 2015 changes were made to the production processes relating to vinyl chloride monomer units. This project, which focussed on reusing water produced by the condensation of steam during manufacturing, has directly contributed to the energy efficiency of the facilities.
Salt electrolysis is the process used to produce chlorine and is necessary for the manufacture of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Caustic soda is a bi-product of this chemical reaction.
As MRC wrote before, by agreeing to the support measures from the French government, the European Commission is allowing Kem One to continue the implementation of its investment plan. Ten months after an in-depth investigation was launched, the European Commission recently approved the support measures from the French government as part of the recovery plan financing for Kem One.
Kem One, a fully integrated vinyl production company, was established mid-2012 following the acquisition of Arkema's vinyl products division by the Klesch Group. The company employs 2,600 people at 22 manufacturing sites, primarily in Europe but also in Asia and North America. Europe’s third-largest producer of PVC with revenues in excess of one billion euros, Kem One continues to grow and build on its numerous strengths with a view to becoming market leader for integrated vinyl solutions.
MRC