Member Article

New liaison committee members tour Alyn Works manufacturing site

Two Mold town councillors have been given a tour and briefing on the operations of the Alyn Works manufacturing site on Denbigh Road, Mold.

Cllr Andrea Mearns and Cllr Sarah Taylor were briefed on the operations at the site in their capacity as recently-appointed Mold Town Council members of the Alyn Works Liaison Committee.

The committee comprises local councillors, representation from local residents, Natural Resources Wales, the Health and Safety Executive, and management from Synthite and TS Resins, the chemicals firms that operate at the site.

The site produces formaldehyde, a basic building block of the chemical industry, which is sold to other chemicals manufacturers.

A number of formaldehyde-derived finished products are also made at Alyn Works.

Synthite operations manager Keith Polden said: “The councillors had a full site tour in order to familiarise them and give a better understanding of what Synthite and TS Resins are all about.

“There was a focus on the extensive environmental controls that exist alongside the main manufacturing facilities. All of our operations are strictly controlled and monitored by regulatory bodies.”

Synthite has operated from Alyn Works since the 1950s. Today, a total of 114 people are employed across the site.

Its main product is formaldehyde, a basic building block of the chemical industry. Formaldehyde is used in the manufacture of a vast array of everyday goods, ranging from furniture, floorboards and interior trim for motor vehicles.

Cllr Mearns said: “It’s good to learn that they employ so many people.

“It’s also reassuring to know that no water from the site goes into the River Alyn and that waste water from the site is captured in holding lagoons for safe disposal and that they are monitored so closely by Natural Resources Wales.

“I was also very pleased to see that the company had taken up residents’ concerns that I’d raised about litter collected outside the site perimeter and cleared it up.”

Cllr Taylor said: “It was an insightful visit. The site is obviously extremely well managed in all aspects of environmental controls and health and safety.

“There is an ongoing maintenance programme to replace or refurbish outdated buildings and technology.

“Furthermore, the company provides well-paid jobs to more than 100 local people.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .