Balan

Founded in 1965 in the Ain region of France, at the heart of one of Europe’s most dynamic economic and scientific area, the KEM ONE site in Balan is dedicated to the manufacturing of PVC, used in many different applications and sectors: cars, buildings, furnishings, electricity, packaging, hygiene and health, sports and leisure.

vignette-site-balan

The Balan site is located in an area of around a hundred hectares; 40 hectares are dedicated to actual production, with the remaining space forming a “green belt” which isolates the factory from the nearby environment.

Equipped with two ultra-modern production lines, it produces 300,000 tonnes of PVC suspension each year for more than 500 customers, primarily in Europe. The products are manufactured after polymerisation in vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) suspensions, sent on barges and in pipelines from the KEM ONE sites at Lavera and Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône, France).

 

200 EMPLOYEES at your service

All levels of qualifications are represented amongst the 200 skilled workers that the factory brings together (from BEP ICTE to engineers), as well as a large variety of professions: manufacturing operators, design and maintenance technicians, chemical engineers, administrative personnel.

To guarantee our customers the best results, the company prioritises the on-going skill development of all those involved: more than 15,000 hours of training are carried out each year. 

 

On-going quality improvement process

Along with other KEM ONE plants, Balan is ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified. It therefore guarantees to each one of its customers that all products will be of a consistent and impeccable quality, but will also be environmentally-friendly and demonstrate a more sustainable approach to the use of natural resources. Furthermore, the site is committed to on-going improvement programs, in which progress plans are developed, fixing quantified objectives and concrete steps, the results of which are regularly assessed.

 

Safety and protection of the environment as a top priority

The safety of people and the equipment is constantly monitored. Like our all industrial sites, the Balan plant's management system is externally audited according to OHSAS standard. Its activities are also governed by a Technological risk prevention plan (PPRT), an Internal operations plan (POI) and an Individual intervention plan (PPI). First aid representatives and around ten safety monitors are permanently on site.

Staff's knowledge and practical skills are regularly updated. Safety exercises are regularly organised, either internally or in conjunction with the relevant public emergency organisations and services. 

In addition, the Balan plant is also looking into ways of minimising the impact of its activities on the environment and has approved significant investment to ensure regular progress in this area. For example, they have installed a water treatment plant and a biological station in order to guarantee the quality of their aqueous waste. 

Safety and the environment are managed with complete transparency. The site regularly issues communications on these themes and is committed to announcing any significant event occurring on the premises as quickly as possible. In the event of an incident, notification is rapidly sent to neighbouring areas, to the relevant authorities, to the media and to the local residents.

 

Transparency inspiring trust

The same spirit of openness and transparency also guides the community policy implemented by KEM ONE on all of their sites. The Balan plant maintains regular communication with the surrounding communities. Plant visits, meetings with local residents and groups, participation in professional exhibitions, organising events in partnership with educational groups. Many opportunities to promote better reciprocal knowledge and create sustainable trust.

 

Contacts

KEM ONE - Usine de Balan
258, route de Saint-Maurice de Gourdans
01360 Balan
FRANCE
To visit us

Tel: +33 (0)4 72 25 29 29 – Fax: +33 (0)4 72 25 29 19

 

Employees 200
Activity PVC suspension
Main brand Lacovyl®
Annual production 300,000 tonnes
Customer base 500 customers, primarily in Europe
Site classification Seveso 2
Certification ISO 9001; ISO 14001; OHSAS 18001; ISO 50001