Manufacturing & Expertise
Potasse et Produits Chimiques (PPC) Thann, France
Located in the tri-border region of France, Germany, and Switzerland, PPC benefits from strategic road, rail, and Rhine River connections. Since 2015, the site has operated a state-of-the-art membrane electrolysis plant producing chlorine (Cl₂), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) in various forms and concentrations.
Alongside its potassium derivatives portfolio, PPC manufactures brominated fine chemicals—including organic products and mineral bromides—marketed through our sister company WeylChem. Committed to sustainable resource management, the site also offers specialized bromine recovery services from customer process streams.
Lülsdorf Functional Solutions (LFS) Niederkassel, Germany
Located in Niederkassel near Cologne in western Germany, our ICIG affiliate Lülsdorf Functional Solutions GmbH benefits from direct road, rail, and Rhine River access. The site operates dedicated production facilities for both liquid and solid potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) as well as potassium hydrogen carbonate (KHCO₃). These versatile products serve a broad range of industries, including agrochemicals, food and feed, pharmaceuticals, consumer care, and industrial applications.
Manufacturing Process – Potassium Derivatives
PPC utilizes state-of-the-art membrane electrolysis to decompose salt solutions, forming the foundation for our high-purity potassium derivatives portfolio.
Potassium Hydroxide Solution (KOH)
Produced directly via electrolysis, our KOH solution is available in a wide range of concentrations and flexible transport modes—both for direct delivery and as a raw material for our downstream derivatives.
Solid Potassium Hydroxide
By drying and solidifying our KOH solution, we manufacture flakes and pellets in tailored forms and concentrations.
Potassium Carbonate (Liquid & Solid)
Carbonating our 50% KOH solution with CO₂ yields potassium carbonate solution for direct supply or further processing. Through crystallization and calcination, we produce solid potassium carbonate in granulated and fine powder forms.
Potassium Bicarbonate
Further carbonation of our potassium carbonate solution produces potassium bicarbonate (potassium hydrogen carbonate), available as a powder, granulate, or fine crystalline product.
Manufacturing Process – Brominated Chemicals
PPC operates a circular, integrated brominated chemicals unit that recovers bromine from waste streams and converts it into high-value intermediates—maximizing resource efficiency while minimizing raw material losses.
Electrolysis & Bromine Recovery
Using electrical energy and potassium chloride (KCl), our electrolysis unit generates chlorine (Cl₂) and hydrogen (H₂). In our recovery unit, this chlorine oxidizes bromide ions in brominated effluents to recover pure elemental bromine (Br₂).
Organic Bromides (Bromination & Hydrobromination)
Recovered bromine is used directly to synthesize organic bromides via bromination, or reacted with hydrogen (H₂) to produce hydrogen bromide (HBr) for hydrobromination of organic feedstocks.
HBr & Mineral Bromides
As a central intermediate, HBr is supplied as aqueous hydrobromic acid or processed into anhydrous HBr. Neutralizing HBr with potassium carbonate (K₂CO₃) or sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) yields high-purity mineral bromides such as potassium bromide (KBr) and sodium bromide (NaBr).
Technical Expertise & Key Industries
Safely handling bromine and HBr requires specialized equipment and strict operational safety standards. Our experienced team synthesizes halogenated compounds for demanding applications across electronics, construction (flame retardants), automotive, water treatment, agrochemicals, personal care, and pharmaceuticals.