Site

In Fos-sur-Mer, Kem One commissioned its new electrolysis facility on March 24, 2025 | © JC Barla, L'Usine Nouvelle

Fos-sur-Mer/Vauvert entity comprises two production sites: Fos-sur-Mer (Bouches-du-Rhône), dedicated to the production of chlorine, caustic soda and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from salt provided by the Vauvert site (Gard).

From salt extraction to the production of VCM

The Vauvert plant is located in a site covering 160 hectares, of which 52 hectares are planted with vineyards. Perfectly integrated into its environment, it does not produces neither aqueous or gaseous waste, nor any unpleasant smells or sounds.

It is dedicated to the extraction of rock salt which is then delivered in the form of brine, using brine ducts, to the KEM ONE sites at Fos-sur-Mer and Lavéra.

By electrolysing the salt, the Fos-sur-Mer plant produces chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen. The chlorine produced is used on site to make vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), by reaction on ethylene. 

Around half of the VCM produced is then delivered to the KEM ONE site at Berre (Bouches-du-Rhône); the rest is sent by barge to the Saint-Fons site (Rhône) to be transformed into PVC.