Page 159 - CW E-Magazine (29-10-2024)

News from Abroad

LEARNING FROM MISTAKES
US Chemical Safety Board releases safety video on

HCl release at Wacker’s site

The US Chemical Safety and Hazard ing different work, and were wearing ous injuries. In the safety video, Board
Investigation Board (CSB) has released a different levels of Personal Protective Member Ms. Catherine Sandoval says,
new safety video on its investigation into Equipment. One of the workers applied “This tragic incident was completely pre-
the fatal release of hydrogen chloride at excessive torque to flange bolts on a heat ventable. What should have been fairly
the Wacker Polysilicon North America exchanger outlet pipe containing hydro- straightforward maintenance activity by
facility in Charleston, Tennessee, that oc- gen chloride, causing the pipe to crack two separate groups of workers turned
curred on November 13, 2020. One con- and release the hazardous chemical in the deadly because of several serious safety
tract worker was killed, and two others vicinity of the workers. issues.
were seriously injured, when attempting
to escape the release. The new video in- There was only one way to exit the The CSB believes that our findings
cludes an animation of the events leading platform – via a staircase. As the white and recommendations will address the
to the incident. cloud of hydrogen chloride expanded, issues found at Wacker and prevent
the workers on the platform were not another needless tragedy.”
The CSB released its final investiga- able to see their surroundings or access
tion report on the incident at Wacker on the staircase. Three workers who were The safety video addresses the key
June 15, 2023. The investigation found not wearing full-body chemical resistant safety issues identified in the CSB’s final
that at the time of the incident there were suits began climbing down the side of the report that contributed to the incident:
multiple contract workers present on the structure to escape the hazardous cloud. the need for written procedures; control
fifth floor of an equipment access plat- All three fell approximately 70 feet dur- of hazardous energy; greater guidance on
form at the facility. The contract workers ing their attempt to escape. One died from simultaneous operations; and improved
were from two different firms, conduct- the fall, and the other two sustained seri- means of egress.
CATERING TO E-MOBILITY
Posco Future M begins operations at NCA cathode

plant in Korea

South Korea’s Posco Future M has months ahead of schedule. The com- With the addition of NCA cathode
started operations at its new plant in pany will have a combined capacity of materials, Posco Future M is broadening
Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, 82.5-ktpa of NCA cathode materials, its lineup, which already includes NCM
dedicated to producing nickel-cobalt- with the Pohang plant having a capa- and NCMA. This positions the company
aluminium (NCA) cathode materials city of 30-ktpa and its larger facility to meet a wider range of customer
for EV batteries. The plant recently under construction in Gwangyang, needs as the EV market grows and
shipped its first batch of the materials. adding another 52.5-ktpa by 2025. diversifies. High-nickel cathode materi-
als, like NCA, are especially valuable for
NCA cathode materials, with 88% Both Pohang and Gwangyang will enhancing battery performance, which
nickel content, are key for making EV also produce single-crystal cathode should improve Posco Future M’s profi-
batteries more efficient. In January materials – an innovation that enhances tability. Posco Future M’s long-term
2023, Posco Future M secured a 40-tril- battery performance by improving strategy focuses on expanding produc-
lion won ($29.6-bn) contract with thermal stability and extending battery tion capacity at its Pohang and Gwang-
Samsung SDI to provide NCA cathode life. Posco Future M became the first yang sites. The company expects to hit
materials from its Gwangyang faci- in Korea to mass-produce single-crys- a total capacity of 248.5-ktpa by 2026,
lity. To keep pace with demand, Posco tal NCMA cathode materials in 2023, split between 106-ktpa from Pohang and
Future M accelerated the launch of the and the new facilities will strengthen its 142.5-ktpa from Gwangyang, including
Pohang plant, bringing it online three ability to produce NCA versions as well. the newly completed NCA plant.

Chemical Weekly October 29, 2024 159

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