Huge investment turns chemicals plant into site for the future
BP Saltend is Europe's largest producer of acetic acid, a raw material used in the manufacture of tens of thousands of products
from paracetemol to fibres and inks.
As part of efforts to modernise the plant and cut emissions, work is ongoing to install a new "reformer", to replace 30-year-old equipment.
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Hide AdA key part of the chemical process, the reformer is a large furnace where steam and natural gas is converted into carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen, with the CO being used to make acetic acid.
The main sections have been lifted into place, but work is continuing to finish off the steelwork, pipework and ancillary equipment. It will
go into production in
November.
BP's spokesman Malcolm Joslin said: "It is very much a site for the future."