In a chemical plant, 2 explosions occurred in a glyoxylic acid production line followed by a fire. The building in question housed a production unit for intermediate chemicals used in manufacturing antibiotics and crop protection products. The fire-fighters brought the blaze under control in a few minutes. Casualties include 20 cases of injury including a case of serious injury where the person was thrown off the scaffolding by the deflagration. The slight injuries mainly included cuts due to the projection of glass pieces and other debris. A company spokesman confirmed that the building was empty at the time of the accident. Projections were found as far as 150 m. The production line was completely destroyed but the neighbouring buildings only sustained light damage.

The internal damage was assessed at 6 M euros. The media reported an operational loss of 15 M euros.

Despite the investigations, the real causes of the accident were not known. The summer heat may have triggered a start of fire in a heat-insulated column imbibed with peroxyde (reaction intermediate) and methanol (flammable solvant). The fire may have then spread to the two reaction columns causing them to explode.

The new reactors installed are designed to resist explosions. Risk-curtailing measures were also implemented. Nevertheless, a second explosion occurred a year later when the facilities were re-started (ARIA 35822).

Download the detailed report in .pdf format (2 Mb)