Battle in poison gas factory

[Spearfish]

Researching the Battle of the Jarama I was surprised to discover that the site on La Maranosa where two Republican battalions were destroyed while describedas 'a military factory' was actually a chemical weapons plant.
Does anyone know the status of this plant at the time the Civil War broke out. I assume it ceased production at this time but, perhaps, it was already dormant

[Ironmachine]

When the SCW broke out, La Marañosa was still a military factory and investigation center, where courses in chemical warfare were held and research was conducted. The installations for the productions of chemical weapons were ready, but it seems that no (or just very little) production had taken place for years. The Republicans quickly made plans for the production of chemical weapons in the factory, but in September 1936 the equipments were moved to Alicante due to the risk of them being captured by the National forces advancing on Madrid.

[Spearfish]

Ironmachine
As always you are a sta. Many thanks for that