Kemira Oyj, a Finnish company based in Helsinki, has announced a €20 million investment to enhance its production capabilities at its Tarragona, Spain facility. Approved earlier in 2025, the investment will fund a new production line for aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH), a high-performance coagulant used primarily in drinking water treatment. This expansion builds on Kemira’s previous investment in Tarragona in 2024 for ferric chloride production to support biogas upgrading.

The new facility will bolster Kemira’s product offerings, strengthening its position in the growing market for advanced water treatment solutions. ACH, a high-basicity polyaluminium chloride, excels at removing color and particles from raw water, particularly during heavy rainfall and flooding, which pose challenges for urban areas across Europe. The product’s high aluminum concentration enhances treatment efficiency compared to traditional options like aluminum sulfate and standard polyaluminium chloride, while also reducing logistics-related CO? emissions, supporting sustainability for both domestic and export markets.

Tuija Pohjolainen-Hiltunen, Executive Vice President of Water Solutions at Kemira, highlighted the project’s significance, stating: “This investment in Tarragona marks an important step in expanding our capabilities to meet the growing demand for high-performance and sustainable water treatment solutions.” She added: “With aluminum chlorohydrate, we can offer our customers a more efficient and environmentally responsible solution for drinking water treatment – especially in urban areas facing increasing challenges from climate-related events. It also strengthens our position in key markets in Europe and Africa, supporting our long-term growth strategy.”

The new production line will utilize proven technology already implemented at Kemira’s facilities in the United States and Poland, ensuring reliability and efficiency. The project, set to be commissioned in early 2028 pending permitting processes, is designed to minimize environmental impact through the use of renewable energy and measures to address emissions from limited natural gas usage.

This strategic expansion enhances Kemira’s ability to meet the rising demand for sustainable water treatment solutions, supporting clean water access for communities in Europe and beyond. By investing in advanced technology and environmentally responsible practices, Kemira reinforces its commitment to addressing global water treatment challenges while contributing to regional economic growth.