Fire at INEOS Köln
At approximately 14:30 hours 17th March 2008 an emission of ethylene from the main pipeline that feeds the INEOS plant at Köln ignited causing a fire at the facility. A stock tank near to the initial incident also caught fire.
The emergency services were quick to respond and around 1200 firefighters attended in and around the plant to deal with the incident.
The ethylene pipeline was isolated and the fire extinguished at around 19:00 hours. The fire on the acrylonitrile stock tank was brought under control at 23:50. Fire fighters remain on-site through to cool and monitor the acrylonitrile stock tank.
There have been no injuries on site, however two people reported to hospital with minor skin irritation. They have since been discharged from hospital.
INEOS continues to take atmospheric measurements outside of the plant boundary and confirms there have been slightly elevated readings at three positions near to the site. As a precaution, the emergency services continue to advise local residents in the village of Worringen, to the south of the site to remain inside, to keep windows and doors closed and to listen to ongoing reports on the local media about the on-going incident.
The A57 and the by-pass between Dormagen and Köln Worringen are now open and are returning to normal, as are the local rail networks.
The remainder of the site at Köln is unaffected and is operational. The cracker is operating at reduced rates due to the closure of the pipeline.
A resident’s information telephone line has been operational through the evening and is addressing questions from the local community: Tel. 02133/ 5199333.
For further information:
Richard Longden
Phone: +44 7710 371998
Email: richard.longden@ineoscapital.com
Dr. Patrick Giefers Kaufmännischer Geschäftsführer und Arbeitsdirektor
Telefon: 0221 / 35 55 10 91
Mobil: 0151 / 15 04 71 65
Email: patrick.giefers@innovene.com
Note to editors
INEOS Köln GmbH is located in Dormagen and employs around 1,800 people. It manufactures petrochemical products such as ethylene, ethylene oxide, ethylene glycol, polyethylene, propylene, propylene oxide, propylene glycols, acrylonitrile, butadiene, C4 oligomers, isoamylene, toluene, ammonia and nitric acid.
The company, which was founded in 1957, became part of the INEOS Group, on December 16, 2005.