Nine decarbonization projects will account for 85% of the total sum. These projects will reduce by 35% (against 2020) all direct CO₂ emissions from the five plants at the site. Digitalization projects will make up 13% of the overall investment with the remaining 2% being spent on a large diversification project.

Ercros said it has spent €163.1 million at Tarragona during the period 2007-2020. The site includes plants in Flix, Vilaseca I, Vilaseca II, Tarragona (chlorine derivatives), and Tortosa (intermediate chemicals).

Launched in February 2021, the 3D Plan incorporates 20 projects based on the dimensions of diversification, digitalization and decarbonization. Ercros will invest €69 million in the period 2021-2025, followed by a further €23 million in the period 2026-2029.

Last month, Ercros announced it would invest €22 million at its plant in Sabinanigo, also under the framework of the 3D plan. At this site, 55% of the investment will go into a large diversification project and a sodium chlorite expansion, 37% will be spent on three decarbonization projects with the aim of cutting direct CO₂ emissions by 20%, and the remaining 8% will be allocated to four digitalization projects.

Separately, Ercros revealed that it has been working on an expansion of dipentaerythritol capacity at the Tortosa plant in Tarragona. The project will lift capacity by 15%.

Dipentaerythritol is a polyol used to make paints, lubricants, PVC stabilizers and UV-hardened resins. Ercros currently exports 85% of its dipentaerythritol output and said it will use the extra capacity to increase its presence in US and Asian markets.

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist