On Nov. 20, GE marked the 40th anniversary and recent expansion of its chemical production reaction plant in Herentals, Belgium. The plant manufactures chemicals to treat water for industrial customers in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the new expansion will increase the facility’s production to approximately 27,000 tons per year, according to an official announcement.
The water treatment chemicals manufactured at GE’s Herentals facility are mainly used by power plants, oil refineries, petrochemical, food and beverage, and primary metal customers. GE says the newly expanded reaction plant will be producing chemical technology utilized in effluent treatment, water clarification, and corrosion inhibition.
GE also has a technology center for its water and process technologies business located in Heverlee, Belgium. Together, both facilities offer water treatment and purification solutions. GE’s Herentals facility covers 780 acres in area and has more than 130 employees.
The new reaction plant encompasses a technologically advanced control room where the chemical production process can be carefully controlled and monitored. A first-of-its-kind for GE, this technology enables faster cycle time and “best-in-class” levels of safety and environmental protection, the company says. The Herentals plant is a zero-discharge site that is not discharging effluent and is reusing water for its own operational needs.
