Explosion at Spain's 140,000 mt/year Tarragona ethylene oxide plant

Barcelona — An explosion occured in the 140,000 mt/yr ethylene oxide plant near Tarragona, Spain belonging to Spanish group Iqoxe Tuesday evening, according to reports from local emergency services.

The explosion and fire resulted in one death and eight injured, according to Spanish newspaper Cinco Dias.

The company said Wednesday it is preparing a statement, and declined to comment.

Ethylene oxide is a feedstock for glycol and PET.

The incident has not had any reported impact on the nearby refinery operated by Repsol.