Lugano (Switzerland), 1 October 2026 - Casale has successfully started up the new 450 metric tons per day (MTD) Weak Nitric Acid (WNA) plant for BorsodChem MCHZ at its Ostrava site in the Czech Republic. The facility achieved first nitric acid production on 30 September 2026, in line with the planned project schedule.
Awarded to Casale in 2024 on a turnkey Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis, the project was executed by Casale Project, the Group's Czech subsidiary, combining its engineering and project execution capabilities with Casale's proprietary DualPURE™ dual-pressure nitric acid technology.
From EPC execution to successful plant operation
Following the contract award in 2024, the project progressed through engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning under a fast-track execution schedule.
The start-up sequence was completed in approximately 12 hours, followed by an initial production run yielding 100 metric tons of nitric acid.
Since start-up, the plant has entered operation and progressively increased production as part of its planned stabilization and ramp-up phase, ahead of full-capacity operation and the subsequent performance test.
Approximately 1,000 metric tons of nitric acid have already been produced and are being used in BorsodChem's downstream production facilities, demonstrating the plant's integration into the site's industrial operations.
Steam export has also commenced, marking a further step in the activation of the facility's energy integration capabilities.
These achievements reflect the coordinated efforts of Casale, BorsodChem and the project partners throughout the different phases of execution, from engineering and construction to commissioning and initial operation.
DualPURE™ technology: efficient nitric acid production and energy recovery
At the heart of the new facility is DualPURE™, Casale's proprietary dual-pressure technology for nitric acid production.
The process is designed to combine operational reliability, optimized energy performance, advanced environmental features and high safety standards, addressing the requirements of modern nitric acid production.
An important feature of the new plant is its ability to recover and export process steam, supporting energy integration with BorsodChem's existing industrial facilities and improving overall resource utilization.
The project adds another industrial reference to Casale's nitric acid technology portfolio, further strengthening its experience in the design and delivery of efficient nitric acid production facilities.
