Chemical Plant Restarts Bucking Current Trend

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--More than two years ago, Industrial Zeolite Limited (Lecompte, Louisiana), was acquired by Industrial Chemicals Limited (Essex, United Kingdom). The company's zeolite production plant located in Lecompte was idled and plans immediately began to convert the plant from zeolite catalyst to alumina production. This product conversion is nearing completion with plans to be in full production by early next year. Originally built more than eight years ago, the Lecompte plant is expected to employ approximately 30 people upon returning to full operation and is planning $1 million of capital upgrades in 2009.

While announcements of chemical plant closures or major reductions have seemed to be in the news headlines daily in recent weeks for the Chemical Processing Industry (CPI), the restart of Industrial Chemicals' plant is not alone in working against the current trend of closures. Approximately two years ago, Calgon Carbon Corporation (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania) shuttered their Blue Lake, California, facility in an attempt to reduce operating costs. Just a few weeks ago, the reactivated carbon plant opened its doors and began manufacturing once again.

Just as the third quarter of 2008 saw an inflated number of plants begin operation in comparison to past quarters, the fourth quarter of 2008 is on track to surpass those record numbers with 14 new plant startups. For more information on chemical plant startup activity, see related news article from October 27, 2008 - Third Quarter Produces the Highest Number of Grassroot Chemical Plant Start-Ups of the Year.

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Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is a marketing information service specializing in industrial process, energy and financial related markets with products and services ranging from industry news, analytics, forecasting, plant and project databases, as well as multimedia services.