Latex Covering Planned for Damaged Lubrizol Plant in France

Nearly 10,000-square-meters of latex will be used to cover two burned warehouses at the site of the Lubrizol chemical plant fire in France whle hazmat specialists remove the damage beneath, a company spokesperson said.

Cyril Macé de Lépinay, in charge of the clean-up, told France Bleu the latex will help control any odors while tons of scrap metal and product residue is relocated. A construction crane will be used to apply the latex cover.

A massive fire in September 2019 destroyed more than 9,500 tons of chemicals at Lubrizol in Rouen, France and an adjoining storage facility. Resulting environmental damage to the region is the subject of an ongoing parliamentary investigation in France.

Dismantling the damaged warehouses and remediation of the roads nearby mark the next phase of Lubrizol’s clean-up plan. Removal of the last of 166 drums of sensitive hazardous materials was accomplished earlier this month.

The remaining clean-up, which also includes removal of the plant’s works council building, is expected to take at least another year, de Lépinay said. Clean-up work is limited to the daylight hours to reduce the inconvenience to residents nearby.