Explosion at Arlanxeo synthetic rubber site in France

Strasbourg, France – Local authorities have reported an explosion earlier this month at Arlanxeo’s synthetic rubber production site at La Wantzenau, north eastern France.

The incident occurred 4 July during a tank-cleaning operation at the location, said a communication from authorities for the Bas Rhin département, Alsace.

‘When cleaning a tank, usually containing water and a hydrocarbon, the latter has exploded causing a loud detonation,’ according to the official statement.

No casualties were reported, with only material damage noted, the authority said on the day of the incident, adding that the installation was ‘now secure’.

The Bas-Rhin fire & rescue service and police attended the site ‘to establish the facts and ensure the safety of employees on the site,’ it added.

Claimed to be the world’s largest nitrile butadiene rubber production site, La Wantzenau has been the focus of a major modernisation programme in recent years.