French Chemical and Explosives Producer Creates Measure to Self-Regulate

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The following in an advisory by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Groupe SNPE (Paris, France) announced plans on December 10, 2001 to regulate and improve safety at it three plants in Toulouse, France. SNPE announced that it would spend several million francs to improve plant safety at it Toulouse facilities. The plan includes the formation of a commission of local delegates with the authority to order investigations and acquire knowledge about safety issues relating to the three plants. Included in SNPE's plan is the limitation of storage tank capacity to two tons and limiting access of non-authorized personel to the plant. The neighboring Atofina Grande Paroisse fertilizer plant explosion in September damaged SNPE's three plants. These plants have been shut down since the explosion pending a decision by the French government as to regulations concerning the proximity of industrial plants to residential areas.

SNPE's announcement came a day before Yves Cochet, the French Environmental Minister, conducted national debates with nearly 7,000 people regarding industrial site proximity to residential areas. On November 13, 2001, SNPE opened its plants in Toulouse for neighboring residents to tour. Tours involved explanations of SNPE's manufacturing process as well as the practical applications of their products.

Groupe SNPE was founded in 1971 and produces fine chemicals plus explosives and propellants used in the pharmaceutical, intermediates, agrochemical, and defense industries. The company's products are marketed in 70 different countries and have subsidiaries in Asia, Europe, and North America.