Site Rehabilitation
The work required to secure, dismantle and clean up the site took 5 years. The site will soon become a cancer research centre.
Dismantling of the AZF stack on November 28, 2004.
© Marco Dufour
Deconstruction work to secure the site was carried out in October 2001, involving the dismantling and removal of nearly 150,000 tonnes of materials to authorised disposal channels.
When the decision was made in 2002 not to restart plant activity, Grande Paroisse worked closely with the DRIRE to define the rehabilitation programme.
Once the site had been rehabilitated, the land was donated to the Greater Toulouse Urban Community for a project in the public interest. The former site of the AZF plant will become a cancer research centre (Cancéropôle de Toulouse), a unique complex in Europe.
De-pollution work was launched in March 2005. Various actions were carried out, including cleanup of polluted fill, hydrocarbon treatment, removal of any residual spots of pollution, removal of all underground networks and structures and filling in the areas to be treated.
Following the cleanup operations, conversion of the site began in 2007. Between 2002 and 2007, Grande Paroisse allocated 100 million euros to clean up the site.
The future Cancéropôle research centre, which will be partially built on the former AZF plant site, will be divided into two main areas:
 AZF site rehabilitation. |  Construction of the planned Cancéropôle research center in December 2008. |
"An exemplary worksite"
The site, extending over nearly 80 hectares, had an 80-year history of industrial activities. The cleanup operations were based on the most stringent criteria as regards human health and environmental protection. The worksite was regularly monitored and inspected by the DRIRE as well as by independent experts.
Ensuring genuine dialogue with the local community was also a priority. In addition to keeping local authorities and associations informed, special measures were introduced to avoid inconvenience to residents and guarantee their safety.
Questions & Answers
Find out the Questions and Answers on the AZF Trial.
Video
Publications
"The AZF Trial"