High stakes hydrazine

Arkema has announced an investment of nearly €10m in its Lannemezan industrial facility in Hautes-Pyrénées, France.

The company recently increased its production of hydrazine hydrate-derived azoic initiators at its Lannemezan site by improving its manufacturing process and production capacity.

According to Xavier Durand-Delacre, managing director of Arkema’s hydrogen peroxide business unit, the company now has the resources to supply international businesses with agrochemicals, synthesis and polymer processing markets.

Hydrazine hydrate is an essential component for purifying precious metals and effluent treatments.

It is also used as a synthesis intermediate in agrochemicals, fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

Hydrazine hydrate derivatives, such as triazoles and azoic initiators (AIBN), are intermediates in the synthesis of phytosanitary and pharmaceutical products.

They are also used in acrylic and vinyl polymerisation initiators and halogenations.