Kemira invests €20 million in Spain to build an ACH plant, boosting sustainable drinking water treatment across Europe and Africa.
Kemira, a prominent global provider of sustainable chemical solutions tailored for water-intensive sectors, has announced a significant investment aimed at bolstering its production capabilities in Tarragona, Spain. With a financial commitment nearing €20 million, the company is set to establish a new production line dedicated to Aluminium Chloro Hydrate (ACH), a premium-grade coagulant widely used in the purification of drinking water.
The decision, approved earlier in the year, is strategically aligned with Kemira’s objective to expand its high-performance water treatment offerings and to solidify its presence in key markets across Europe and Africa. The addition of this new ACH production facility will enhance Kemira’s already comprehensive portfolio of water treatment chemicals, positioning the company as a leading provider of innovative solutions in the increasingly vital area of municipal water treatment.
ACH is a high-basicity polyaluminium chloride known for its exceptional performance in clarifying raw water by effectively removing color and suspended particles. Its application is particularly critical during episodes of heavy rainfall or flooding, situations that are becoming more frequent due to climate change and urban expansion. These climate-related events present growing challenges for cities and municipalities striving to maintain water quality standards, particularly in Europe. By expanding its production capacity for ACH, Kemira is poised to offer a robust solution to these pressing environmental challenges.
Tuija Pohjolainen-Hiltunen, Executive Vice President of Kemira’s Water Solutions division, emphasized the strategic value of this investment. “Our expansion in Tarragona reflects our commitment to providing more efficient, sustainable, and resilient water treatment solutions,” she stated. “Aluminium Chloro Hydrate represents a technologically advanced and environmentally preferable option, especially for urban areas increasingly impacted by extreme weather patterns.”
Compared to traditional coagulants like aluminum sulfate and standard polyaluminium chloride, ACH boasts a substantially higher aluminum concentration. This attribute enhances its treatment efficiency and simultaneously reduces the volume of product required for transport and application, thereby lowering CO2 emissions associated with logistics. As such, ACH aligns closely with Kemira’s sustainability goals and responds to customer demands for eco-conscious solutions.
The upcoming production line in Tarragona will incorporate proven technology that Kemira has successfully deployed in its facilities in the United States and Poland. The company expects the new line to be operational by early 2028, following the necessary environmental permitting procedures.
To minimize its ecological footprint, the project will leverage renewable energy sources and include continuous evaluation and mitigation strategies to address minor emissions from natural gas consumption. This initiative not only underscores Kemira’s growth ambitions but also reaffirms its dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility.
