US Borax Plans for Expansion of Boric Acid Plant in California

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). US Borax Incorporated (Valencia, California) a subsidiary of Rio Tinto PLC (LSE:RIO.L) (London, England) is preparing estimates and studies to expand the production of boric acid once again at their Boron, California (Plant 1008116; PEC 06004144) complex by 2005.

Some smaller capital projects are planned for later this year, which include some debottlenecking will initially increase the production capacity by an estimated 20,000 metric tons per year with a goal of another 80,000 metric tons per year by 2005.

The Boron plant is the largest of only three boric acid production plants located in the United States. Planning for expansion of the Boron plant is well underway with expectations of acquiring approvals to proceed late this year or early next year. US Borax will seek a general contractor or construction manager for this estimated $5-10 million investment.