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ATLANTA, GA (U.S.), September 21, 2020 — The Fire Retardant Additives division of Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), a portfolio business of J.M. Huber Corporation (Huber), announces it is preparing a plan for a major sustainability project and substantial investment in a new power plant at its Martinswerk facility in Bergheim, Germany.
The project consists of a proposed replacement of the current lignite power plant with a natural gas-fired co-generation power plant to produce 100% of the required steam (thermal energy) and electricity demand for the production site. Doing so should result in significant sustainability benefits, including a 40% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, a 100% reduction of ash by-products and the elimination of daily lignite truck traffic to the site, which also decreases traffic and emissions throughout the local community.
The current lignite power plant was built in the 1950s and is still reliably producing the required steam and electricity for the Bergheim site. Because Germany is phasing out coal-fired power plants by 2038, it is no longer economically viable to make significant investments in the current lignite power plant required to support its long-term operation.
The next step would be to collaborate with the Works Council to develop a common strategy for the 32 employees working in the current power plant. The projected start-up of the new power plant is planned to be in 2023.
“For Martinswerk, this proposed strategic investment would be another milestone following significant investments made in Bergheim during the last five years under Huber ownership and a strong commitment to the long-term future of the site and business,” adds Martin Schulting, Managing Director of FRA Martinswerk and Europe, Middle East, Africa & India.
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About Huber Engineered Materials (www.hubermaterials.com)
Huber Engineered Materials (HEM), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia (U.S.), is a global business focused on engineered specialty ingredients that enhance the performance, appeal and processing of a broad range of products used in industrial and consumer-based applications. With an expertise in inorganic materials, it has a portfolio of high value products: alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, molybdate compounds and industrial, food and USP grade calcium carbonate.
About HEM’s Fire Retardant Additives Division
HEM is a global leader in the production of fine precipitated alumina trihydrate and magnesium hydroxide, both halogen-free fire retardants. Its FRA division has four manufacturing sites in North America and two in Europe. HEM has been a trusted supplier of non-halogenated flame retardants and smoke suppressants for more than 30 years, manufacturing a large portfolio of value-added MARTINAL®, Hydral®, Hymod® and Micral® alumina trihydrate, MAGNIFIN®, Vertex® and Zerogen® magnesium hydroxide and Kemgard® molybdate compounds for a variety of end-use applications, including reinforced polyester molding and pultrusion, engineering thermoplastics, roofing, silicone rubber, wire and cable, coatings and carpet backing. In addition, Huber produces MARTOXID® calcined aluminium oxides, COMPALOX® specialty oxides, and PERGOPAK® carriers and matting agents.
About J.M. Huber Corporation (www.huber.com)
J.M. Huber Corporation, headquartered in Edison, New Jersey (U.S.), operates a diverse portfolio of businesses: CP Kelco, Huber Engineered Materials, Huber Engineered Woods and Huber Resources Corp. With locations around the world, our businesses create products used in a broad range of applications including personal care, food and beverage, agricultural nutrients and adjuvants, building materials, flame retardants and smoke suppressants, as well as sustainable forestry services. Founded in 1883, Huber is one of the largest family-owned companies based in the U.S.
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