Helsingborg, Sweden - Chemical group Kemira announced 21 Feb that it is to spend Euro 14 million to strengthen its European manufacturing network by constructing two new coagulant plants in Germany and Spain.
To do this, Kemira has entered a strategic partnership with Bayer MaterialScience, through which it will purchase hydrochloric acid - a by-product of Bayer's polyurethane production - to produce coagulants for use in various water treatment applications, including drinking water and waste water treatment.
Kemira will build the new coagulant plants next to Bayer MaterialScience's isocyanate production plants in Dormagen, Germany and at Tarragona, Spain.
At the same time, Kemira will close an existing coagulant plant in Europoort, the Netherlands. The new plants are expected to be operational during 2012.
In Spain, the coagulant manufacturing in Tarragona will be moved into the new plant in the Bayer Industrial Park.
Kemira has informed its Works Councils about the restructuring and started negotiations in Spain and the Netherlands. The impact on personnel is minor, as most employees will be able to transfer to other positions within Kemira.
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