VALE (EUROPE) LTD - CLYDACH REFINERY

The Clydach Refinery - affectionately known as the Mond - was built in Clydach, near Swansea, Wales at the turn of the 20th century, and started production in 1902. The plant, which was built by Ludwig Mond, the inventor of the nickel carbonyl process, was the heart of the village and one of the largest employers in the Swansea valley for many years. With improvements in processing and a rationalization of products, the refinery employs over 220 people in the town of 8, 000 many of whom are pensioners and most of whom have had some connection with the Mond. Clydach was recently made part of the City of Swansea, Wales with an aggregate population of 230, 000.