Chemical factory, Balan, Chemical production facility in Balan, France.
Usine Arkema Kem One is a chemical production facility in Balan where two specialized manufacturing operations work side by side. One sector produces PVC suspension products while the other manufactures ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers for industrial adhesives and automotive components.
The site began operations in 1965 under Elf Aquitaine and later moved to Total group ownership before becoming part of Arkema Kem One in 2012. Over decades it developed into a major chemical production center on the Meuse focused on specialized polymer products.
The facility maintains open communication with local communities through regular plant tours, educational events, and neighborhood meetings to foster transparency.
The site sits along the Meuse River with good transport connections by road and water for product distribution. Access to the facility is restricted since it operates as an active industrial plant with safety protocols in place.
The facility is notable for operating as a shared site where two separate chemical companies run their productions in adjacent areas, allowing them to benefit from shared infrastructure. This arrangement is uncommon in the chemical industry and demonstrates efficient land use.
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