On June 3rd, one of the worst things that can happen in the industry occurred. A massive explosion, followed by a fierce fire, reduced part of a chemical plant to ashes. It could have been much worse, but by chance, no one was near the explosion at the time.
All teams were in the control room for a shift change, and all contractors happened to be on break. The result was significant damage to the installation, with hydrocarbons still present in the plant (as it wasn’t in full TA status). Chromium-6 catalyst from the exploded reactor was scattered throughout the facility.
Meuva was part of the project team responsible for supporting the decontamination of the plant and subsequently its dismantling. This was done under strict PPE protocols due to the ongoing risk of contamination from hazardous substances. Using cold techniques (sawing) and mechanical work, Meuva managed to untangle this challenging situation. Heavy and large machinery was also brought in—including one of the largest demolition cranes in the region—and Meuva carried out the work safely and without incidents.
After approximately four months, the dismantling was completed, and the area could be entered without the need for special PPE or respiratory protection. Thanks to careful dismantling, the new construction team was able to directly connect to several intact parts of the plant, saving both time and costs.