Chemical Plant Blast in Seveso-Designated Area of Alsace Injures Five in Moderate Emergency

France: An explosion rocked the Butachimie company situated in Chalampe, Haut-Rhin. However, the prefecture has assured that there is no immediate threat to the surrounding population. The plant is responsible for providing 35% of the world's adiponitrile. While the company employs 420 permanent staff, almost 1,200 additional workers are on-site currently carrying out maintenance operations, according to a company official. This incident has brought back memories of the tragic fire at the Lubrizol plant.

Butachimie, a leading manufacturer of nylon chain Polyamide intermediates, produces the world's highest quality Adiponitrile and Hexamethylenediamine, partnership with INVISTA and BASF. Success is based on maintaining a delicate balance between independence and strong relationships with co-owners and exclusive clients. In 1974, two major players in the chemical industry, Du Pont de Nemours and Rhone-Poulenc, joined hands to form a partnership that resulted in the creation of Butachimie- the original product of their collaboration. At company, employees oversee the production and management of Adiponitrile, while the production of Hexamethylenediamine is handled by personnel from partner BASF at their facilities.

In a concerning incident reminiscent of the Lubrizol plant fire, a chemical plant in southern Alsace experienced an explosion leading to the injury of five people. The incident occurred on Wednesday at Butachimie company's production workshop in Chalampe, which is classified as Seveso high threshold. However, the prefecture of Haut-Rhin has assured that there is no danger to the population, according to initial reports.

According to Butachimie, the explosion took place at a site situated near Basel (Switzerland) and Freiburg (Germany) at 13:40 p.m. The company's communications official stated that they have everything under control and are working closely with experts to identify the cause of the incident. The official also mentioned that one person sustained severe hand burns because of the explosion.

According to the company's website, Butachimie is a production site that specializes in manufacturing nylon components. The Chalampe plant, which accounts for 35% of global adiponitrile production, has been undergoing maintenance operations since May 19th, and is expected to resume operations in early July. Although an explosion occurred on the premises, it was external to the equipment and did not result in any damage or leaks to production units, as per the company's CEO.

According to an official, the plant is situated on a vast industrial complex that houses multiple chemical firms. The facility has a fixed workforce of 420 employees, and at present, almost 1,200 extra personnel are deployed on-site for maintenance activities.