Site

The Alsachimie site in Chalampé, Alsace, France, is a major European hub for the production of polyamide 6.6 (nylon) intermediates. The facility operates 24/7, employs over 650 people, and is classified as a Seveso high-threshold site due to the scale and nature of its chemical operations. The site has certifications ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment) and ISO 50001 (Energy).

Main Processes and Technologies

• Continuous Production: The site runs non-stop throughout the year to ensure reliable supply to customers in automotive, textiles, electronics, and consumer goods sectors.
• Integrated Platform: Alsachimie manages the WEurope industrial platform, providing utilities and services to other companies on-site, including Butachimie, Linde, and Air Products.
• Advanced Chemical Processes: The site utilizes state-of-the-art technologies for the synthesis of key polyamide intermediates, with a focus on process safety, environmental management (ISO 14001), and energy efficiency (ISO 50001).
• Energy and Utilities: The site features a modern energy production center, including a natural gas and waste-fueled power plant, supplying high and low-pressure steam to production units.

Products

These products are used in high-performance plastics, technical fibers, and specialty coatings.

• Hexamethylenediamine (HMD): 260,000 metric tonnes per year production capacity (as of 2025, following the startup of a new world-scale plant).
• Adipic Acid: Alsachimie is a leading European producer, with capacity in the hundreds of thousands of tonnes per year (exact figure not publicly disclosed, but the site is described as a European leader).
• Nylon Salt (AH Salt): Produced in large volumes to supply BASF’s and external polymerization plants

Feedstocks

• Cyclohexane: Main raw material for KA-oil and adipic acid production.
• Ammonia: Used in the synthesis of hexamethylenediamine (HMD).
• Adiponitrile (ADN): Key feedstock for HMD and nylon salt production, supplied by the adjacent Butachimie plant.
• Nitric Acid: Both a product and a process reagent.

The site benefits from close integration with Butachimie for ADN supply and with utility providers for energy and gases.