Explosion At Alabama Chemical Plant Prompts HAZMAT Response

A railcar containing hydrogen peroxide was involved in an accident at an Alabama chemical plant, causing an explosion and prompting a HAZMAT response.

“Numerous emergency personnel and Hazmat crews are on the scene in Theodore, Alabama, following an explosion at a chemical plant. Officials report that a railcar containing hydrogen peroxide exploded at the Evonik Industries chemical plant, damaging two buildings,” Rawsalerts wrote.

“Evonik’s Theodore plant is the company’s largest in North America and is involved in the production of chemical products for various industries. No serious injuries have been reported, and the cause of the accident will be investigated,” the post added.

WKRG reports:

According to Evonik, a railcar containing hydrogen peroxide was involved in an accident around 2:00 p.m.

Mobile Fire-Rescue Department dispatched multiple units at 2:36 p.m., including a HAZMAT team, to be on standby as Evonik worked to get the situation under control.

The company says safety is their top priority, and no serious injuries were reported. The cause of the accident will be investigated.

The plant is expected to be operational on Sunday, WKRG noted.

“A railcar containing hydrogen peroxide at Evonik’s facility in Theodore, AL was involved in an accident at approximately 2:00 pm. No serious injuries have been reported. We are fully cooperating with local authorities. First responders arrived on the scene very quickly and we appreciate the work they have done to contain the situation,” Evonik said in a statement.

“Evonik cares deeply about safety and investigating the cause of this accident is a top priority,” it added.

From AL.com:

The Evonik plant in Theodore employs around 750 people and is the company’s largest facility in North America. It’s unclear how many were working at the time of the incident.

Kelly Miears, a company spokesperson, said more details about the incident would be forthcoming, and that an update would be provided Sunday.

The company, in 2022, announced it was investing $176.5 million toward an expansion of the Theodore plant. The project was to be completed this year and is currently under construction.

Miears said none of the new construction was damaged during the incident.

The new facility, which is incentivized by taxpayers, will produce methyl mercaptan, which is used to manufacture its MetAmino (DL-methionine) product. The product is utilized in livestock farming to feed animals in a healthy, efficient and sustainable manner.

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