423 Somerville Rd - Monsanto
West Footscray

In 1941, Monsanto, a world leader chemical manufacturer opened their Somerville Road West Footscray plant.

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In 1963, the world's first Phenol manufacturing plant using a new process was installed. The new plant replaced the original one that was installed in 1941.

 

Phenol is used extensively throughout the world as a base chemical for pharmaceutical drugs, commercial & industrial chemicals, plastic moulding powders & adhesives.

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Monsanto has now closed this site and the manufacturing plant has been demolished. The site is under going extensive remediation works to removed the contaminated soil. in the future the site will be redeveloped.

 

The impressive brick office block remains as a reminder of one of the world's largest chemical manufacturers was located in the district.

 

1942    Somerville Rd    Monsanto (Aust) Pty Ltd - (Works)

1945    Somerville Rd    Monsanto (Aust) Pty Ltd - (Works)

1950    Somerville Rd    Monsanto (Aust) Pty Ltd - (Works)

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Ref: Sands & McDougall Directories

Ref: Sunshine Advocate 4th July 1963 Page 1

Photo: S&DHS