WeylChem takes Glyoxal production to the next level in Lamotte, France

Frankfurt am Main, GERMANY/Trosly-Breuil, FRANCE – The WeylChem Group of Companies is set to invest around 15m euros in upgrading its Glyoxal production in Lamotte, France. A process consolidation based on state-of-the-art equipment is going to increase production volumes by approximately one third while reducing the complete site’s carbon footprint by around 20 percent. The new plant is expected to start operating in early 2024. Sustainability has long been a hallmark of WeylChem’s Lamotte operations which is reflected, for example, in an EcoVadis Platinum award gained last year. Based on the additional CO2 savings, the French State has committed to covering about one quarter of the total investment sum via its “France Relance” program (a plan to relocate major industrial assets in the country after the COVID-19 pandemic) and ADEME (agency for ecological transition). “Demand for Glyoxal and Glyoxylic Acid is expected to grow over the coming years around the world driven, for example, by the polymer industry and the agrochemical sector,” explains Alix Deschamps, MD of WeylChem Lamotte. “WeylChem is one of just two European players providing these products. Given the ongoing turbulences in global supply chains and the ever-growing demand for highly sustainable precursors, we see excellent opportunities for helping customers grow globally based on a robust, reliable supply chain.” Uwe Brunk, President of the WeylChem Group of Companies, adds: “Over the past two years, our group has invested around 24m euros in upgrading our custom manufacturing capabilities by starting to operate a new halogen exchange plant and a new ring chlorination plant in Germany as well as new multi-purpose equipment in Lamotte. Now we’re taking the next strategic step in expanding our Advanced Intermediates business internationally.”