Haldor Topsøe A/S has opened an extension to its catalyst plant in Frederikssund, Denmark, representing an investment of over DKK 300m ($40m). The new production unit, called "P6", will focus on producing catalysts used by refineries worldwide to manufacture ultra-low sulfur diesel. The expansion is in line with the company's growth strategy and projections for increased demand. The extension will create 27 new jobs, bringing the total workforce to 700 employees. The CEO stated that expanding production in Denmark makes sense due to the well-qualified workforce and close link to R&D activities, but the company is also expanding in China and the US.
Haldor Topsøe A/S officially opened a large extension of the company's catalyst plant in Frederikssund, Denmark. This plant and a plant in Houston, Texas, constitute the company's two primary production facilities globally. The extension, represents an investment in excess of DKK 300 million (40 mEuro), and consists of the addition of a new production unit called "P6", which will focus on the production of catalysts used by refineries worldwide to manufacture ultra-low sulfur diesel.
Ground-breaking for P6 took place in October 2012 and by May last year, the 2,400 sq.m. new premises were completed. Following the installation of new production equipment, the plant is now ready to launch production.
”The expansion at Frederikssund ties in closely with our growth strategy and is based on our projections for increased demand. Worldwide, refineries are using our catalysts for producing fuels that are cleaner and result in reduced emissions of sulfur and other environmentally harmful substances. In fact, almost 40% of the world's total production of ultra-low sulfur diesel is produced using Topsøe technology. And in many emerging markets, there is now growing interest in the environmental benefits offered by cleaner fuels," says Bjerne S. Clausen, CEO, Haldor Topsøe.
The recent expansion will create 27 new jobs at the Frederikssund plant, bringing the total workforce up to 700 employees. Topsøe is the town's largest private employer and almost half of the employees are local residents of Frederikssund Municipality. And according to the CEO, expanding production in Denmark continues to make good sense for Topsøe.
”Catalyst production is complex, so it's important for production to be closely linked to our R&D activities, which are the foundation for our business. Plus, here in Denmark, we have a well-qualified workforce at every stage of production. That is a distinct strength for us," says the CEO.
However, expansion of the Frederikssund plant does not mean that Topsøe is limiting itself to production in Denmark alone.
”For us, it's not a question of choosing one over the other, but going for both. In countries such as China or Brazil, localised production is one of the conditions for achieving success in the market, which is why we are growing our presence in those locations. As a result, over the past year, we commenced construction of a large plant in Tianjin in China, and have also extended our capacity significantly in Houston, Texas".