The chemical reaction event at the Friesland Campina site in Borculo early last month (July 2025) was caused by an error in the unloading of hydrochloric acid. The explosion released toxic smoke, chlorine, and nitrogen dioxide.
A truck driver reported to the wrong unloading point at the dairy company in Gelderland on Friday afternoon, July 4th. Both the driver and a factory employee failed to properly check the cargo’s paperwork, resulting in the hydrochloric acid being unloaded into a nitric acid tank. Furthermore, an incorrect coupling was used during the unloading process, the company reported after its own investigation.
An orange cloud containing harmful substances such as chlorine gas and nitrogen dioxide was released and spread throughout the surrounding area. Around 9:00 PM, the site was evacuated, and the fire department was alerted. At 10:13 PM, the tank exploded. The tank lid was later found in a meadow near the factory
The report is in Dutch. Source: NOS