Community outreach

Plant welcomes 400 visitors for a look at chemistry and possible careers

More than 400 people took advantage of a chance to learn more about good chemistry when they visited our plant in Doel, Belgium, during an open house.The site manufactures cellulose derivatives sold primarily into the construction industry.

“We had a great response for the community,” said Erik Van Hove, plant manager. “We had everyone from families with children and retired colleagues, to neighbors, schoolteachers and contractors visit the Ashland premises in Doel.”

Organized by 25 employee volunteers, the open house offered a variety of activities. While the youngest guests were entertained in the children's corner, all interested visitors were offered a tour of the site including its laboratory, production floor and wastewater treatment unit. An overview of Ashland’s products and way of working was presented.

Visitors wore protective equipment on the tour.

“One of the reasons why we want to make chemistry and, in particular, Ashland, more popular is that the chemical sector in the Flanders region of Belgium alone needs more than 16,000 new people (of the approximately 65.000 people who are active now) to replace the older generation of employees who will retire by 2020," said Van Hove.

"This open house was important to help to promote our commitment to creating great products in a safe manner, while, at the same time, bringing the message about the benefits of chemistry to the community, and members of the future workforce,” he added.