Date: June 7, 2019
Location: Jönköping, Småland (Sweden)
Address: Carlforsvägen, Västra Fabriken, 561 38 Huskvarna
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Aluminum Powder
Industry: Metallic Pigment Production
Equipment: Unknown
Company: Carlfors Bruk AB
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: Three People Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company website, Carlfors Bruk AB is a metallic pigment production company headquartered in Huskvarna, Sweden. It was founded in 1898, has 65 employees, and manufactures aluminum paste and powder in a modern process industry with 24-hour operation. Most of its products are sold to colour manufacturers while other customers use it as blowing agents in concrete and additives in certain types of explosives.
Incident Description:
On June 7, 2019, the Expressen reported an explosion and fire at a metallic pigment production company in Huskvarna, Jönköping, Sweden.
Emergency services personnel and two ambulances arrived shortly after 5:15 p.m. A management operator confirmed that aluminum powder had exploded in a room with sieving machines and was burning on the outside of the building.
The incident occurred after an employee discovered that a transport container (which contains sifted aluminum powder) was warm and had a burning smell. When they lifted the lid, powder fell into the burning material, igniting it.
The mill’s response team worked with the municipal rescue services from Jönköping to fight the fire. Shortly before 6:00 p.m. the emergency services alarm operator stated that the fire was under control, but that the emergency services were still in place.
Three people were taken to hospital. One person suffered moderate burns while the other two received first-grade burns.
Previous Incidents:
According to Tidningen BrandSäkert, prior to this incident, the mill had an average of one to two explosions per year in connection with the emptying of vacuum dryers. Management took steps to eliminate the problem by using a gas mixture with reduced oxygen content in that part of the process.
Sources:
Expressen
Tidningen BrandSäkert
