On Nov. 12, Olin Corporation announced that its Chlor Alkali Products division expects to have a fleet of 100 rail cars specifically designed to carry bleach to its customers in service by the end of this year. Its bleach fleet is projected to total more than 300 rail cars by the end of 2010.
The company said its proprietary rail-car technology will enable it to deliver high-quality bleach in a cost-effective manner over distances of more than 1,000 miles.
"This innovative rail-car technology will allow us to ship bleach more efficiently over longer distances," said John McIntosh, president of Olin Chlor Alkali Products. "This step will be good for our customers, our company and the environment." One rail car can carry the equivalent of approximately four truckloads of bleach.
During the third quarter of 2009, Olin used rail cars to deliver a growing portion of the more than 54 million gallons of bleach it sold. It expects that most of its bleach sales growth will be delivered using these new rail cars.
Olin is creating a distribution network in the eastern half of North America from as far north as its plant in Becancour, Quebec, to as far south as its plant in McIntosh, Alabama. Olin is thus positioned to deliver bleach by rail to New York, Philadelphia, Boston, and other large population centers in the Northeast. Olin will also ship bleach from its plant in Henderson, Nevada, to customers in the western United States.
"We also intend to begin shipping low-salt, high-strength bleach using the same rail-car technology," said McIntosh. "This higher-strength material will provide us with an additional competitive advantage because we will be able to ship more active ingredient in each rail car.
Olin Corporation is a manufacturer concentrated in two business segments: Chlor Alkali Products and Winchester. Chlor Alkali Products manufactures chlorine and caustic soda, sodium hydrosulfite, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen, potassium hydroxide, and bleach products. Winchester products include sporting ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, and industrial cartridges.