ICL Develops Plans for New UK Sodium Hypochlorite Manufacturing Facility

Proposed investment at Port Clarence would increase domestic manufacturing capacity and strengthen supply-chain resilience for the UK water industry.

Essex, United Kingdom 26^th August 2026: Industrial Chemicals Limited (ICL), one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of essential water-treatment chemicals, today announced that it is developing plans for a major new state-of-the-art Sodium Hypochlorite manufacturing facility at its Port Clarence site.

Detailed engineering, commercial evaluation and project planning are underway, alongside engagement with key customers and project partners. This work will determine the final design, production capacity and delivery programme for the proposed facility, with a final investment decision anticipated in December 2026.

Subject to approval, the new facility would complement ICL’s established Chlor-Alkali manufacturing operations at West Thurrock, increase UK production capacity and provide greater geographic and supply-chain resilience for an essential water-treatment and cleaning industry chemical.

John Carver CEO, Industrial Chemicals Limited, comments:

In 2012, the company made a landmark £30 million investment in a new Chlor-Alkali manufacturing facility at West Thurrock. This significantly strengthened ICL’s domestic production capabilities and established a secure UK source of critical water-treatment chemicals.

The proposed investment in the Port Clarence facility demonstrates ICL’s long-term commitment to UK manufacturing and to the customers and communities that depend upon a reliable water-treatment supply chain. By increasing domestic capacity and establishing an additional manufacturing location, we aim to provide our customers with even greater resilience and security of supply.

Key Highlights

• Project development underway: Detailed engineering and commercial evaluation are progressing.
• Increased UK manufacturing capacity: The facility would expand the domestic production of Sodium Hypochlorite a key product for UK water utilities.
• Greater supply-chain resilience: Port Clarence would provide an additional UK manufacturing location, complementing ICL’s existing operations at West Thurrock.
• Supporting the UK water industry: The facility would strengthen the availability and security of an essential chemical used in drinking-water and wastewater treatment.
• Final investment decision: Anticipated in December 2026, following completion of the current development work.

Customer Enquiries

Customers who have questions about the proposed facility, or who would like to discuss their current and future Sodium Hypochlorite requirements, should contact their usual ICL commercial representative.

Alternatively, please contact:

Commercial Enquiries:
Email: info@icgl.co.uk
Phone: 00 44 (0) 1375 389000

About Industrial Chemicals Limited

Industrial Chemicals Limited is a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of essential chemicals used across the water, industrial and manufacturing sectors. For more than 50 years, ICL has invested in domestic manufacturing, technical capability and distribution infrastructure to provide customers with reliable supply, high-quality products and responsive service.

For further information, visit: www.icgl.co.uk

Media Enquiries:
Email: media@icgl.co.uk
Phone: 00 44 (0) 1375 389000