AkzoNobel Announces €140 Million Investment In Frankfurt

AkzoNobel said it is investing €140 million to convert its chlorine plant in Frankfurt, Germany, to state-of-the-art membrane electrolysis technology. The new facility, which will increase current capacity by around 50%, will help to reinforce the company's positions in Europe's caustic lye and chloromethanes markets, while the total eco-footprint per ton of product will be improved by nearly 30%.  Due to come on stream in the fourth quarter of 2013, the Frankfurt operations will apply the latest membrane technology and enable the business to increase annual production of chlorine at the location to an expected 250 kilotons, up from 165 kilotons today.   

AkzoNobel Industrial Chemicals operates three chlorine plants in Germany (Frankfurt, Bitterfeld and Ibbenbueren) and two in the Netherlands (Rotterdam and Delfzijl). In 2010, these five facilities exceeded one million tons in total production.  Mostly known as a disinfectant for drinking water and in swimming pools, chlorine is used for a wide variety of applications, including PVC, epoxies and polyurethanes. It is also used in the production of 85% of all pharmaceuticals. The company took over the site in Frankfurt in 2009 as part of the LII Europe acquisition.