A research team developed a process for making HCN by reacting methane and ammonia. Cyanuric chloride gained industrial importance when reactive dyes were developed.
In the 1960s
In 1963 we set up a plant producing 1.5 tonnes of HCN per day. Cyanuric chloride sales started in 1964 with 600 tonnes per year. Early in 1966, the plant was shut down, and Lonza started to buy HCN in an aqueous solution of 20%
Reason:
Natural HCN is a byproduct of the manufacture of acrylonitrile (Sohio process) and, as such, cheaply available in large quantities.
Suppliers: Norsolor (CdF) and Ugine Kuhlmann.
Another milestone for cyanuric chloride was the development of the triazine herbicides in the 1960s
In the 1970s
In summer 1976 Lonza decided to go into HCN production again.
Reasons:
1. Improvements to the acrylonitrile process progressively reduced the quantities of HCN available.
2. HCN was in short supply due to recession in the textile industry (Orlon/Dralkon)
3. Suppliers were affected by a succession of strikes which caused interruptions to the supplies of HCN. More importantly, the prospect of an official ban on transportation of HCN.
In March 1977, an agreement was signed with Degussa. Lonza bought a license for their BMA process and built an HCN plant in Visp with a capacity of 5000 tonnes per year, processing natural gas containing 90% methane. The plant has been in operation since 29 March 1979
In the 1980s and 1990s
With production running smoothly and without any incidents, a continuous program of minor improvements was undertaken, including improved heat recovery, NOx abatement and catalyst lifetime.
Today
Investments are being made continuously to improve efficiency and keep safety standards at the highest possible level.
In more than 20 years of continuous operation, our HCN production has had no accidents or incidents. We are committed to keeping safety standards at the same high level in future.
