Bondalti Chemicals launches advanced chlor-alkali plant in Portugal, using Asahi Kasei’s electrolyzers to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and decarbonization efforts.
Bondalti Chemicals, a leading Portuguese chemical manufacturer, has officially commenced operations at its modernized chlor-alkali production facility in Estarreja, Portugal. The advanced plant was built by German engineering specialist CAC Engineering and incorporates Asahi Kasei’s latest chlor-alkali electrolysis technology. This initiative marks a major step forward for the company, as the new facility aims to lower energy consumption, optimize raw material usage, and enhance overall sustainability within the chlor-alkali sector.
The project involved the installation of nine state-of-the-art chlor-alkali electrolyzers at Bondalti’s site, made possible through the collaboration between CAC Engineering and Asahi Kasei. Co-financed by the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan, the modernization project represents a significant leap in efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, it supports Bondalti’s long-term strategy to meet increasingly stringent European Union decarbonization regulations and accelerate the transition toward greener operations.
One of the nine electrolyzers has been designated for trial operations, allowing the company to test new components that are designed to enhance environmental performance. These trial runs focus particularly on reducing power usage and improving resource efficiency. Asahi Kasei’s latest ion-exchange membranes and high-performance electrodes are at the core of this system, offering superior performance compared to conventional technologies. The electrolysis process splits brine—concentrated salt water—into chlorine, caustic soda, and hydrogen, which serve as essential inputs across a broad range of industries. In line with circular economy principles, used cells and electrodes from these test operations will be recycled and repurposed in the development of new components, further reducing waste and resource dependency.
David Lopes, Director of Bondalti, emphasized the significance of the project, stating: “The launch of our new chlor-alkali plant reflects the outstanding contribution of our partners and our skilled workforce. This milestone reinforces our commitment to sustainable innovation and positions us as leaders in responsible chemical manufacturing.”
Echoing this sentiment, Yoshifumi Kado, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei’s Ion Exchange Membrane & Electrolysis System Division, expressed satisfaction at the on-schedule completion. He noted that the combined expertise of Asahi Kasei, CAC Engineering, and Bondalti will help push the boundaries of sustainable chlor-alkali production in Europe.
Mike Niederstadt, COO of CAC Engineering, praised the project’s complexity, noting that integrating nine new electrolyzers during ongoing production was an extraordinary technical challenge. He highlighted that the project underscored the strength of their decades-long partnership with Asahi Kasei and the collaborative relationship with Bondalti.
Asahi Kasei, with over five decades of global experience in the chlor-alkali industry, continues to provide end-to-end solutions, including ion-exchange membranes, electrodes, electrolysis systems, and advanced monitoring services. The company also invests in new recycling initiatives, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in sustainable chemical production technologies.
