Lorraine: from basic chemistry to green chemistry
Chemistry, petrochemicals, mineral chemistry, parachemistry … so many areas well represented in Lorraine. And by big industrial groups.
Organic chemistry
Total’s core chemicals business, Total Petrochemicals, manufactures polyethylene, polypropylene, and styrenics. It is located in Carling, not far from Arkema, the leading French chemist and world leader in PMMA. It groups together three areas of activity: vinyl products, industrial chemistry and performance products. Arkema has also established its Eastern Research and Development Center ( CRDE ) in Carling. Its missions are the development of acrylic monomers, the treatment of industrial water and the damage assessment of materials.
Carbone Lorraine’s “Chemical Engineering Equipment” division in Pagny-sur-Moselle is the world’s leading manufacturer of thermal equipment for anti-corrosion in noble materials.
Mineral chemistry
Solvay Carbonate France in Dombasle-sur-Meurthe, the world leader in carbonate and its derivatives, produces 700,000 tonnes of carbonate and 120,000 tonnes of bicarbonate of soda every year. Salins du Midi and Salines de l’Est and Cérébos are very present in the salt industry. Rosières-aux-Salines,Château-Salins … The exploitation of Lorraine’s salt dates back several centuries and its extraction is at the origin of the establishment and development of the chemical industry.
In the Meuse , the chemical industry is mainly oriented towards lime from Dugny-sur-Meuse and Sorcy-Saint-Martin.
Fine chemistry and parachemistry
Fine and specialty chemicals for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors are also present in Lorraine, notably with Cristal Laser, the European leader in the manufacture of synthetic crystals. Arkema also produces ultrafine powders for cosmetics. And in parachemistry, Novasep in Pompey specializes in the creation of molecules and is a partner of major pharmaceutical companies.
Green chemistry, chemistry of the future
La société Ineos à Verdun-Baleycourt (Meuse) produit des biocarburants à partir du colza pour être incorporés au carburant classique et réduire les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Schweitzer à Ludres fabrique des sacs à déchets en utilisant des matières premières végétales. Novacarb, à Laneuveville-devant-Nancy, s’associe à Poweo pour construire une centrale à biomasse pour la production d’électricité. Et l’entreprise vosgienne Salveco fabrique des produits d’entretien et d’hygiène 100 % bio. Le Pôle de Compétitivité Fibres mène également un projet majeur nommé Ecolicel dont l’objectif est d’organiser une filière de chimie issue du bois.
