AkzoNobel planning further expansion in German chloromethanes

Euro Chlor member AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals has begun planning to further expand their Germany-based, chloromethane production capacity.

Production was recently expanded when AkzoNobel converted its Frankfurt mercury-based chlor-alkali plant to modern membrane technology; increasing the availability of the essential raw material, chlorine.

"The next logical next step is to debottleneck the chloromethanes facilities to enable capacity to be increased even further," explains Jürgen Baune, AkzoNobel's General Manager for Chlor-Alkali and Chloromethanes and also Euro Chlor Management Committee member.

The work will also be of benefit to other local chemical companies and will assist the extensive supply chain for such chemicals.

Chloromethanes are a key ingredient in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and refrigerants. They are also important raw materials for the construction and automotive industries, as well as finding uses in water treatment, cookware and electronics.

More information can be found on the AkzoNobel website.