NEWS
AGC consults on closing UK site
AGC Chemicals Europe is consulting with employees and their representatives about a proposal to cease operations at its manufacturing plant at the Hillhouse Technology Enterprise Zone in Thornton Cleveleys, UK. This process is expected to last until late August, with closure potentially to follow at the end of the year. All 190 employees are affected.
The company stated that it has made this proposal“ because the site has experienced significant financial and operational challenges, generating a loss for the past four years”. Despite continued investment, it said,“ the situation is no longer sustainable in the context of a volatile and competitive market”.
However, the news alsocame shortly after a national newspaper revealed that more than 90 residents had signed up to be involved in a potential legal claim over contamination of the local area by PFAS produced from the site.
Thornton Cleveleys uses perfluorooctanoic acid( PFOA) to make polytetrafluoroethylene( PTFE), widely known as Teflon. It emitted about 49 tonnnes of PFOA between the 1950s and 2012. PFOA was banned worldwide in 2020 because of its links to kidney cancer.
During investigations, the Environment Agency and the local authorities tested soil and local produce for PFOA and found extensive contamination. They advised residents to wash and peel homegrown food and avoid eating locally produced eggs.
Meanwhile a study commissioned by the government has just reported finding higher than expected rates of kidney cancer in the vicinity of the plant. It did not find any evidence of a cancer cluster or any environmental association, but outside experts described the findings as a“ major source of concern” and called for further investigation, including blood testing.
Kemira acquires two
Kemira has acquired Anmac Water Treatment Service from private ownership on undisclosed terms. Anmac, a California-based supplier of water treatment services for preventive pinhole corrosion protection to larger residential and commercial buildings, had sales of $ 8.5 million in 2025 and employs 19 people. It will be integrated into Kemira’ s Water Solutions business unit.
Subsequently, Kemira also completed the acquisition of Repur, an Italy-based provider of activated carbon reactivation services for municipal and industrial water treatment. The company said that this strengthens its position in sustainable water treatment. Terms were not disclosed but it is known Repur had sales of just over € 5 million last year and employs 21 people.
Catalyxx chooses Portugal for first site
Biobased chemicals company Catalyxx has selected Sines, Portugal, for its first commercialscale plant, citing its industrial infrastructure, deep-water port, logistics links and access to renewable energy. The Portuguese government has granted the project Project of National Interest status, with construction due to begin in Q4.
The announcement follows € 20 million in EU funding from the Circular Bio-based Europe
Joint Undertaking( CBE JU) for RenewChem, a consortium project involving Catalyxx, Arkema and Evonik that aims to accelerate the deployment of renewable drop-in chemicals.
The € 120 million plant will produce butanol, hexanol and octanol from bioethanol as low-carbon alternatives to petrochemical routes for applications including coatings, resins, adhesives, lubricants, surfactants, personal care, flavours and fragrances, and sustainable fuels. Catalyxx previously validated its catalytic process at a demonstration facility in Seville, Spain.
SEP / OCT 2026 SPECCHEMONLINE. COM
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