C6 plant on the block as business fails
stopping production operations by the end of 2005 and has put its
entire manufacturing plant and equipment up for sale.
The company, formerly known as Hickson and Welch, blamed the weak US dollar and strong international competitionfrom companoies in Asia for the decision, which will result in the loss of 300 jobs. Among its activities, C6 supplied raw materials and intermediates to drug companies and manufacturers of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).
The firm's 140-acre plant, based in Castleford, West Yorkshire, has capability for custom manufacturing services and production of fine chemical intermediates in the pharmaceutical sector as well as the crop science, nutrition, and speciality chemical markets.
it has reactor capacity in excess of 500m3, including pilot and small-scale plants, and can produce a range of chemicals in quantities from a few kilos to several thousand tonnes, according to C6.
Included in the sale are: two hydrogen generation plants, with a total output 2900Nm3/hr; two Buss AG hydrogenation loop reactor plants (7m3 and 10m3); a phosgenation facility with a 6.8m3 reactor and a 20-200kg/hr phosgene generation capacity; two pharmaceutical intermediates facilities; glass lined, alloy and stainless steel reactors from 50 litres to 10m3; centrifuges, distillation columns, driers and pressure/vacuum filters; steam turbines, scrubbers, refrigeration and compressed air plant; and development scale and laboratory equipment.
All of the plant is for sale by private treaty, either on an individual plant basis or for break-up.
