Ercros will double its sodium chlorite production capacity

Ercros has initiated a project to build a new sodium chlorite production line in its factory in Sabiñánigo (Huesca).

This investment will almost double the current production capacity to 11,300 t/y compared to the current 6,000 t/y. The new plant is scheduled to start up in the third quarter of 2022. This additional volume of sodium chlorite will be destined to new export markets.

At present, 88% of sales are already being allocated to the foreign market. Sodium chlorite is the best alternative to make drinkable water in desalination plants. With this investment, Ercros will become the largest manufacturer of this product in Europe. The project will emphasize the importance of the water treatment business within Ercros' portfolio, which is one of the objectives of the diversification dimension introduced by the 3D Plan.

The 3D Plan is the strategic plan launched by Ercros, which pursues its transformation into a sustainable company and is based on three dimensions: Diversification, Digitalisation and Decarbonisation. The plan contains 20 major projects. The timescale of this plan is the 2021- 2025 period, although the execution of several digitalisation and decarbonisation projects will go beyond this period and will be extended until 2029. For the period between 2021-2029, Ercros plans a total investment of 92 million euros and expects to generate an additional ebitda of 194 million euros.

The Ercros site in Sabiñánigo, which employs 218 workers, recorded a turnover of 93 million euros in 2020 and it is focused on the production of chlorine, caustic soda, and chlorinated derivatives such as sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid; tablets for swimming pool water treatment; sodium chlorite and chlorate; and hydrogen peroxide and ammonia. 58% of its production is destined to export.