Cause of fire at VCM manufacturing area of Axiall's Lake Charles chemicals complex in Louisiana still under investigation; remainder of facility unaffected by fire, with production continuing as usual in unaffected areas

Allison Oesterle

ATLANTA , December 22, 2013 (press release) – Axiall Corporation announced today that the cause of a Dec. 20 fire that occurred in the vinyl chloride manufacturing area of the company’s Lake Charles chemicals complex in Louisiana remains under investigation. The company also is working with outside engineering firms to assess the damage to the structure and the impact on production. The remainder of the Lake Charles facility was unaffected by the fire, and production continues as normal in those areas.

The company praised the rapid response of Axiall emergency responders, Phillips 66, the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office, local hospitals, Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, and other local, state and federal agencies -- as well as local residents who heeded a shelter-in-place-order issued by authorities.

“We owe our sincerest thanks to everyone who responded to this fire,” said Jon Manns, plant manager at the Lake Charles complex. “This was a serious and unfortunate event, and we are thankful that none of our workers or contractors on site were seriously injured. We regret that this event has occurred."

“We are in the process of conducting a full investigation into the cause of the fire,” Manns said. “We will continue to work with all appropriate governmental agencies as we continue our investigation."

About Axiall

Axiall Corporation (NYSE: AXLL) is a leading integrated chemicals and building products company. It is an international manufacturer of chlor-alkali and derivatives, chlorovinyls and aromatics products including chlorine, caustic soda, vinyl chloride monomer, chlorinated solvents, calcium hypochlorite, ethylene dichloride, muriatic acid, phosgene derivatives, polyvinyl chloride, vinyl compounds, acetone, cumene and phenol. It also manufactures vinyl-based building and home improvement products that are marketed under Royal Building Products, Celect™, Zuri™, Kor Flo™, Overture, S4S and Exterior Portfolio brands, including window and door profiles, mouldings, siding, pipe and pipe fittings, and decking. Axiall, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has manufacturing facilities located throughout North America and in Asia to provide industry-leading materials and services to customers. For more information, visit www.axiall.com.

SOURCE: Axiall Corporation

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