ICI General Chemicals
of Weston Point, Cheshire, maker of chlorine, acids, and synthetic ammonia and other chemicals
Part of ICI
1926 ICI was formed, bringing together 4 existing groups of chemical companies. Brunner Mond's ammonia-soda plants became the nucleus of the ICI Alkali Division. Chance and Hunt's Oldbury Works and Wednesbury Works became part of the General Chemicals Group. Many of United Alkali's plants became part of General Chemicals.
1929 ICI decided to close the Wallsend works (ex-Castner Kellner Co) and amalgamate it with the ex-United Alkali Co's Allhusen Works at Gateshead and the Cassel Cyanide Co of Glasgow; the 3 works were concentrated at Billingham South, called Cassel Works which became one of the principal factories of General Chemicals Division.[1].
1934 The General Chemicals Division at Billingham was assigned the development and production of the new product called Perspex.
1937 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair (Cassel Cyanide). Cassel Salt Bath Processes. Furnaces and Salts for Case-hardening and Heat Treatment of Metals, including Heat Treatment of High Speed Steel and of Cast Iron. (Stand No. D.306)
1937 Listed Exhibitor - British Industries Fair (Degreasing). Stationary and continuous Plant for Removing Oils, Grease, Swarf, Polishing Compound, from metal parts before overhaul. Enamelling, Electro-plating, Painting, Lacquering, rust-proofing, etc. Extraction Plants for recovery of Gums, Oils, etc. (Stand No. D.405) [2].
1947 Operating units included:[3]
- Castner-Kellner
- Chance and Hunt
- Gaskell-Marsh
- Hillhouse works at Fleetwood - was this the ammonia-soda works opened by United Alkali in 1892?
- Pilkington-Sullivan
- Randle factory at Widnes
- Rocksavage
- St. Rollox
- Valley
also
1947 British Industries Advert. Invitation to visit its Exhibits. (Chemicals, etc. Section - Olympia and Earls Court) [4]
- ICI of Nobel House. Manufacturers of Heavy Chemicals, Acids, Alkalis, Dyestuffs, Auxiliary Products, Rubber Chemicals, Plastics, Paints, Metals, Explosives, Limes, Fertilizers, Pharmaceuticals including "Paludrine" Antimalarial drug, Insecticides including "Gamexane", "Methoxone" Selective Weed Killer, "Polythene" new Plastic. (Olympia, Ground Floor, Stand No. A.1023)
By 1964 the main operating units within the division were:[5]
- Hillhouse at Thornton (i.e. Thornton Clevelys)
- Pilkington-Sullivan
- Castner-Kellner
- Cassel
- Rocksavage
- Plant Protection
- Chance and Hunt
1964 The General Chemicals and Alkali Divisions merged to become ICI Mond Division.[6]