Octel Bromine Works - Anglesey

History

“The bromine works in Amlwch was the largest site of its kind in the world. The warm Gulf Stream water was ideal for the process of extracting bromine from the sea. The site was built in 1953, and production began that same year. However, in 1958, a severe storm struck, halting production for three whole days by blocking the site’s main pumps with seawater. In 1970, a fire broke out on the site, reportedly started by two local youths. The fire rendered the railway bridge unusable, necessitating the implementation of alternative transport methods. Disaster struck again in 1995, when another fire caused even greater devastation. Two 30-meter towers and other vital equipment were destroyed, resulting in damages estimated at £6 million, along with an additional £4 million in lost business. In 1997, a bromine release occurred, injuring five staff members and forcing all local residents to remain indoors. By 1999, concerns over the “Millennium Bug” — the fear that the transition from 1999 to 2000 would disrupt computerized instruments led to the plant being shut down before midnight on December 31, 1999. On October 1, 2003, the Great Lakes Chemical Corporation announced the closure of the Amlwch plant. Production ceased in 2004, but decommissioning and decontamination of the site took an additional nine months to complete. In 2007, Canatxx purchased the site with plans to develop a liquid natural gas storage facility. However, later that same year, the BBC published an article highlighting fears of potential terror attacks related to the proposed plans. Since then, the site has remained derelict, frequently subjected to destruction and fires, with no signs of redevelopment occurring anytime soon”.