Akzo Nobel Base Chemicals expands MEB

GTI Rotterdam Industrie bv has recently received an order from Akzo Nobel Base Chemicals bv for the expansion of the Membraan Electrolyse Bedrijf (MEB) in Rotterdam. GTI will be responsible for the electrical and installation activities including high voltage engineering. The order involves an amount of approximately 1 million euros for GTI.

The MEB is specialised in the production of chlorine. The MEB produces approximately 490,000 tonnes of chlorine per year by means of membrane electrolysis. The expansion of the MEB will increase the current production capacity. As a result of the increased production capacity at the MEB in Rotterdam, Akzo Nobel Base Chemicals is terminating the structural chlorine transports from Delfzijl to Rotterdam.

GTI will place and install 4 electrolysers. In addition, GTI will adjust various process units, so that these will be able to process the larger amounts of anolite, catholite, chlorine, hydrogen, lye and brine resulting from the increased production capacity. During the activities, the MEB plant will remain fully operational and thus the production process will continue without interruptions. GTI will complete its activities in the middle of 2005.

Following a tendering procedure, Akzo Nobel Base Chemicals has chosen GTI because of its knowledge and expertise of the chemical industry and its specific experience in the conversion and expansion of installations in 'live' plants. In addition, the safety policy applied by GTI has played an important role in the selection of the company.

GTI focuses on technical services to building services, industrial firms and infrastructure projects in the Benelux. The GTI Industry sector is a leading group of companies with an interlinked complete package of technical services for all industrial markets. In all segments of the market, GTI Industry is experienced in carrying out both large and small projects, either covering a single discipline or several, in new construction, renovation, maintenance and management.

GTI is part of FABRICOM, a leading European player in the field of electrical, mechanical and HVAC installations and the related maintenance. The Group?s companies (AXIMA in Europe, ENDEL and INEO in France, FABRICOM GTI in Belgium and GTI in the Netherlands) provide optimal solutions for customers in the Industry, Building services, Infra and services sectors. The Fabricom Group employs 47,000 people. In 2003, FABRICOM realised a turnover of 5.6 billion euros. Although it operates primarily in the Benelux and France, it is also active in numerous other European countries. FABRICOM is a 100% subsidiary of SUEZ.

For further information please contact:
GTI nv
Leen Geschiere, Corporate marketing and communication
Kosterijland 50, 3981 AJ  Bunnik; P.O. Box 210, 3980 CE  Bunnik, Netherlands
telephone: +31 (0)30 656 94 00; mobile: +31 (0)6 20 24 61 53; fax: +31 (0)30 656 94 15;
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