Fire at the Saipol plant in Sète

– Saipol Information – 31/05/2024 – 5:00 p.m.

• Recap of the facts: a fire broke out on April 10 at around 4:40 p.m. in the esterification unit (biodiesel production from vegetable oil), while the industrial site was shut down for its annual maintenance.
• As of May 31, 2024, at 5:00 p.m.
  • The news regarding the injured employee is reassuring. Discharged from hospital in early May, his health is improving and his recovery remains the priority.
  • Regarding the accident, investigations conducted both by the authorities and internally are ongoing to determine its origin and causes.
  • Following the maintenance period, which has now ended at the site, seed crushing operations resumed on May 27 with the authorization of the DREAL.
  • The biodiesel production unit affected by the fire remains shut down, and measures have been put in place to ensure continuity of product deliveries to our customers.

– Saipol Information – 17/04/2024 – 9:00 a.m.

• Recap of the facts: a fire broke out on April 10 at around 4:40 p.m. in the esterification unit (biodiesel production from vegetable oil), while the industrial site was shut down for its annual maintenance. The fire was brought under control by the emergency services at around 6:10 p.m.
• As of April 17, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
  • The injured Saipol employee remains hospitalized, and we continue to closely monitor his health.
  • Saipol employees and contractors were brought together on Monday, April 15, to discuss the incident and remind them that a psychological support unit is available to employees and contractors at any time if needed (psychologist and psychological support helpline).
  • Activity at the site, particularly maintenance operations, was able to partially resume during the day on Monday at facilities not affected by the accident, with the agreement of the authorities and in consultation with Saipol’s employee representative bodies.
  • The biodiesel production unit affected by the fire is subject to an emergency order issued by the Prefecture.
  • Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the fire and the extent of the damage. No particular lead can currently be favored.

– Saipol Information – 12/04/2024 – 6:30 p.m.

• Recap of the facts: a fire broke out on April 10 at around 4:40 p.m. in the esterification unit (biodiesel production from vegetable oil), while the industrial site was shut down for its annual maintenance. The fire was brought under control by the emergency services at around 6:10 p.m.
• As of April 12, 2024, at 6:30 p.m.
  • Several investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the fire. Saipol teams are working closely with the authorities to provide the necessary information.
  • The injured Saipol employee remains hospitalized, and we are closely monitoring his health.
  • A psychological support unit was set up for employees and contractors on the morning of Thursday, April 11, and will remain available for as long as necessary.
  • Activity at the site, particularly the resumption of maintenance operations, is expected to resume in the coming days with the agreement of the authorities. The biodiesel production unit affected by the fire is subject to an emergency order issued by the Prefecture.
  • Firefighting water has been stored on site in a retention basin. The Prefecture confirmed that there was no risk of pollution and communicated the results of the analyses carried out.
  • Industrial seed crushing operations at the Sète site, whose facilities were not affected by the fire, will resume once the scheduled maintenance operations have been completed. The restart date will be determined shortly.
  • Saipol believes it will be able to ensure continuity of deliveries to its customers, as the incident occurred while the site was undergoing a planned technical shutdown.

– Saipol Information – 11/04/2024 – 9:00 a.m.

• Recap of the facts: a fire broke out on April 10 at around 4:40 p.m. in the esterification unit (biodiesel production from vegetable oil), while the industrial site was shut down for its annual maintenance. The fire was brought under control by the emergency services at around 6:10 p.m. The emergency services remained on site during the night of April 10 to 11 to monitor the facility.
• As of April 11, 2024, at 9:00 a.m.
  • The Saipol employee remains under medical care at Montpellier Hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care. His life is not in danger, and we are closely monitoring his health.
  • At the Sète site, Saipol teams are fully mobilized and working closely with the authorities to understand the origin of the incident;
  • Air and soil samples were taken by the SDIS (Departmental Fire and Rescue Service). The initial results show no abnormalities, and the full analysis is expected to be available during the day on the Prefecture’s website.
  • The assessment of the impact on Saipol’s operations is underway, but the priority remains above all to monitor the health of the injured employee and manage the situation on site.

– Saipol Information – 10/04/2024 – 7:00 p.m.

• The injured person is a Saipol employee. He was evacuated from the site in a life-threatening emergency. His life is reportedly not in danger.
• Firefighters are still on site.
• Only the esterification unit (biodiesel production) was affected by the incident.

– Information – 10/04/2024 – 6:15 p.m.

• A fire broke out this afternoon at 4:40 p.m. in the esterification unit at Saipol’s Sète site.
• At around 6:10 p.m., the fire was brought under control by the emergency services deployed at the site.
• One person was injured and was immediately taken into the care of the emergency services.
• The site teams are in contact with the authorities.

Press contact :

• Saipol :
  • Fabien KAY (Responsable communication)
  • fabien.kay@groupeavril.com
  • +33 6 08 35 58 89