FMC Corporation says it will keep meeting its environmental obligations at the former Cheminova site in western Denmark, even after the factory closes at the end of 2026.
The American owners confirmed the commitment in a written response to DR. Spokesperson Kaitlin O’Shaughnessy stated that the company’s environmental obligations are independent of future production decisions. Monitoring and cleanup will continue in close cooperation with the relevant authorities, per the statement.
FMC announced on Tuesday that it plans to halt production at the Rønland plant and close it by the end of the year. The site is Lemvig Municipality’s largest workplace and employs more than 400 people.
The factory lies on Harboøre Tange by the Limfjord and mainly produces pesticides for agriculture. FMC bought the plant, then named Cheminova, in 2015.
No timeline for groundwater cleanup
DR asked FMC how long it intends to continue treating contaminated groundwater after the closure. The company did not give a specific time frame. O’Shaughnessy repeated that FMC will stand by its environmental obligations.
Per the written answer, the company will work closely with the authorities to ensure cleanup activities remain appropriate, technically feasible and effective. That includes the current pump-and-treat system. FMC added that it will honor the obligations regardless of the outcome of negotiations.
News of the closure prompted local residents and politicians to lament the loss of jobs on Tuesday. Anders G. Christensen (V), chairman of Region Midtjylland, said the short and long term handling of the site must be clarified quickly.
In a press release, Christensen noted that FMC voluntarily pumps up and cleans polluted groundwater today. The aim is to prevent contamination from seeping into the surrounding environment. He added that it is unclear how long that work will continue.
Why the factory is closing
FMC described the shutdown as part of a broader strategy to optimize its global manufacturing structure. Competitive production is essential for the company, and the cost level at Rønland makes it difficult to compete effectively in the current market, per the written response.
The spokesperson did not tell DR how long the closure plans have been under way. FMC reviews its operations on an ongoing basis as part of normal business planning, according to the same statement.
