On Monday August 18th around 1.45 p.m, a small explosion on an electrolysis cell of one of our three chlorine units (which produce chlorine, hydrogen and caustic soda) of our Lavera plant started a fire.

The urgency plan was launched. The plant operators immediately shut down the unit.The fire spreaded out to adjacent plastic equipments and black smoke could be observed. There was no other impact on environment. The fire was extinguished in less than twenty minutes and was stopped at 2.10 p.m. One of our operator was sligthly intoxicated by the smoke and put in observation by precaution. He was back on duty two hours later. Authorities were informed and an internal inquiry is ongoing to determine the exact circumstances of the incident.  Consequences of the fire are limited to the concerned unit and the rest of the plant is running normally.

A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema consists of three strategically related businesses: Vinyl Products, Industrial Chemicals, and Performance Products. Arkema reported sales of 5.7 billion euros in 2007. Arkema has 15,200 employees in over 40 countries and six research centers located in France, the United States and Japan. With internationally recognized brands, Arkema holds leadership positions in its principal markets.