PPC
THANN, FRANCE
ABOUT POTASSE ET PRODUITS CHIMIQUES
Potasse et Produits Chimiques (PPC), an affiliated site that is part of our parent company ICIG, is located in Thann, in the eastern part of France, near the Swiss and German borders. The site is accessible by road and rail and is located close to the Rhine river.
The Thann site features a state-of-the-art membrane electrolysis plant, inaugurated in 2015, for the production of chlorine (Cl2) and potassium hydroxide solution (KOH) as well as production installations for a range of other potassium derivatives such as liquid and solid potassium carbonate (K2CO3) and solid KOH in various forms and concentrations.
In addition to its potassium derivatives portfolio, PPC produces a range of fine chemicals, more precisely brominated organic products and mineral bromides manufactured by means of bromination and hydrobromination technologies. The site also provides bromine recovery services from customers’ process streams, thereby contributing to a sustainable management of resources. PPC’s brominated derivatives portfolio is marketed under the umbrella of our ICIG sister company WeylChem.
Potassium derivatives
Potassium derivatives are crucial to many manufacturing and processing industries and are used in a variety of markets ranging from agrochemicals, food and feed, to pharmaceuticals, consumer care and industrial applications.
Brominated derivatives
Brominated derivatives are widely used as intermediates in specialty chemicals, in the pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry and in the cosmetics industry.
Our History
Our History
FACTS AND FIGURES
EMPLOYEES
Ca. 265
SURFACE AREA
Ca. 7.7 ha
ON-SITE PRODUCTION
Since 1808
PRODUCTS MADE ON-SITE
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH), Potassium Carbonate (K2CO3), Sodium Hypochlorite (NaOCI), Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), Brominated Organic Products, Mineral Bromides
OUR HISTORY
1808
Industrialist Philippe-Charles Kestner and Thann pharmacist Joseph Willien sign a memorandum of association for the manufacturing of chemical products in Thann, ratifying the birth of the Thann chemical site.
1816
The Kestner Frères company employs 30 people and produces sulfuric, nitric and tartaric acids.
1927
Start-up of a potassium electrolysis unit.
1931
The company is renamed Potasse et Produits Chimiques (PPC).
1932
First production of mineral bromides.
1951
First production of brominated organic products.
1971
PPC becomes a subsidiary of the French chemical group Rhône-Poulenc.
1993
PPC is acquired by the American group Ethyl Corporation, one of the world’s leading companies for brominated products.
1994
Ethyl Corporation's specialty chemicals business is spun off as an independent, publicly traded company named Albemarle Corporation. PPC is renamed Albemarle PPC.
2006
The company is acquired by International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG) and integrated into ICIG’s Fine Chemicals platform, the WeylChem Group of Companies. The company is again renamed Potasse et Produits Chimiques.
2013
Construction starts on a new membrane electrolysis plant for potassium hydroxide (KOH).
2015
Start-up of a new state-of-the-art membrane electrolysis facility for the production of potassium hydroxide (KOH).
2016
The potassium derivatives sales and marketing activities of Potasse et Produits Chimiques are brought under the Vynova umbrella.
SAFETY, HEALTH, ENVIRONMENT AND QUALITY
- Potasse et Produits Chimiques SAS - ISO 9001:2015 (English version)
- Potasse et Produits Chimiques SAS - ISO 14001:2015 (English version)
- Potasse et Produits Chimiques SAS - ISO 45001:2018 (English version)
- Vynova PPC SAS - ISO 50001:2018 (English version)
- Potasse et Produits Chimiques SAS - ISO 9001:2015 (French version)
- Potasse et Produits Chimiques SAS - ISO 14001:2015 (French version)
- Potasse et Produits Chimiques SAS - ISO 45001:2018 (French version)
- Vynova PPC SAS - ISO 50001:2018 (French version)