Dutch producer ensures supply continuity with additional caverns 

Nouryon subsidiary, Nobian, is ensuring the future of its brine processing operations in Hengelo in the Netherlands with the creation of eight new extraction sites in Twente. The company has just overcome its latest hurdle when a preliminary injunction with regard to environmental permits, filed in June, was rejected by the District Court of Overijssel in Zwolle on 1 August. As a result, the company is now able to continue and aims to begin construction this month. Previously, the company had been awarded the green light by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate (EZK) which published the approval of the permits on March 27th. 

Salt extraction in the vicinity of Haaksbergen in the Twente region is an important project for Nobian. The salt is needed for the continuity of salt production in Hengelo and is to enable the company to maintain current output levels, rather than any increase in production. If the source brine fields are not expanded, then salt production at Hengelo would have ended in 2025. Currently, the Hengelo facility produces 2.7Mtpy of high-grade salt products through PVD using the mined brine solution as feedstock.

Nobian started the process back in 2010, exploring a new salt extraction site in the Twente region. Based on the thickness and quality of the salt layer in the subsoil, Haaksbergen proved to be the most suitable location. Since then, Nobian has been working with the local authorities and the surrounding area to obtain the necessary permits.  The length of time is indicative of just how long it can take a project in Europe from exploration to fully permitted to come to fruition before construction can commence.