KEM ONE launches its new electrolysis process at its Lavéra site, getting off to a fresh start on solid foundations
03/07/17Through the launch of its new facilities in Lavéra, KEM ONE is confirming its ambition to become one of the leaders in the chlor-alkali industry in Europe. The new electrolysis is a key asset for improving the company’s performance and enabling it to pursue its investment policy.
On 29 June, KEM ONE launched its new chlor-alkali electrolysis process at its Lavéra site (Bouches-du-Rhône). This technological conversion is one of the cornerstones of the company’s recovery strategy.
Studies for the project began in 2014, a few months after the takeover by Alain de Krassny and OpenGate Capital. With an investment of 160 million euros, it has just been completed. The production of chlorine and caustic soda using the new membrane electrolysis process began in March 2017.
The inaugural visit of the electrolysis facilities in Lavera. Pascal Faure, from the Ministry of the Economy, and Arnaud Montebourg, minister of the Economy in 2013, were there.
The replacement of the old electrolysis by membrane technology at Lavéra has several objectives :
- implementation of a more environmentally-friendly process, while also ensuring compliance with European regulations that have called for the complete ban of mercury-based processes by December 2017 (one of the two processes used up until now at the site);
- use of the best available technology to improve the facilities’ performance and give the company a competitive edge;
- and offering a higher-quality product.
At equal output levels, the Lavéra production facility will achieve an energy savings of 25%, equivalent to the annual consumption of 80,000 households. This will be attained thanks to the optimisation of energy recovery (electricity and steam) and the use of a less energy-intensive process.
The launch of this new process marks the end of a difficult period for KEM ONE. “This is the culmination of more than three years of intense efforts made to get the company back on its feet,” states Alain de Krassny, CEO of KEM ONE. “We’ve successfully completed the first phase, but our quest continues.”
After having published a positive net result, KEM ONE is determined to pursue its investment policy. This entails improving the reliability of its production facilities, modernising them and ensuring greater independence in terms of its ethylene sourcing.
