French chemical company confirms explosions at Texas plant

Arkema chemical plant in Texas

French chemicals group Arkema confirmed on Thursday two explosions at its plant in Crosby, Texas, and added there was a risk of further explosions at the site.

FRANCE24, 31 August 2017 - An Arkema spokesman told FRANCE 24 that the plant produces peroxides that are used in plastics. The company evacuated the site on Friday.

Given the lack of electricity at the plant, the explosions were expected. “Peroxide does explode when not properly cooled down, and we had to shut down all refrigerators,” the spokesman told FRANCE 24. “We don’t expect the leak to be more toxic than the release of carbon dioxide in the smoke.”

The company issued a statement warning that the threat of additional explosions remains.

“Please do not return to the area within the evacuation zone until local emergency response authorities announce it is safe to do so,” the statement said.