Uhde is converting an amalgam electrolysis plant which has been in operation for 40 years to its latest generation of energy-saving Uhde membrane cells for VESTOLIT GmbH & Co. KG at the Marl chemical park, the third biggest chemical site in Germany. The contract includes the engineering, supply and construction of the new turnkey electrolysis plant.

The conversion project involves replacing the amalgam cells in an existing cell room with new Uhde single-element membrane electrolysers. The new plant will increase production capacity by around 20 % to 260,000 tonnes of chlorine and 293,000 tonnes of caustic a year. Commissioning is scheduled for autumn 2007.

Uhde is responsible for the basic and detail engineering, supply of the electrolysers and appurtenant equipment, the construction work and supervision of the commissioning activities.
VESTOLIT is investing some 80 million euros in the new electrolysis plant.

"A significant reduction in specific energy consumption will be achieved through the use of Uhde's latest electrolysis technology and with this investment VESTOLIT is making a sustainable contribution to environmental protection," said Dr. Wolfgang Essig, Chairman of Uhde's Executive Board.

Taking into account new plants, revamps and conversions, Uhde has now built plants worldwide with a total capacity of almost eight million tonnes of caustic a year based on its proprietary membrane technology and is thus one of the leading suppliers of membrane electrolysis plants for the chlor-alkali industry.