Chlorine sustainability drive falters - Euro Chlor

26 September 2007 14:54  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS news)--European chlor-alkali producers need to work harder on their sustainability targets or risk the reputation of the sector, industry association Euro Chlor said on Wednesday.

Progress on the industry’s long-term sustainability drive stalled last year, even though the latest issue of the sector’s Chlorine Industry Review shows two 2010 energy goals have been met four years ahead of schedule.

"We need to beware of complacency," Euro Chlor executive director Alistair Steel said. "Our industry’s well-earned reputation rests on how well we respond to the challenge of stepping up our health, safety and environmental performance during the next three years."

"There were continued improvements in indicators for energy consumption, hydrogen usage and lost-time injuries for employees but a disappointing increase in the number of accidents involving contractors," he added.

"We have to work harder to meet expectations," he said.

Mercury emission per tonne of production for the sector increased to 1.055g of mercury per tonne of chlorine capacity in 2006, from 1.046g per tonne in 2005.

The increase would be temporary, Euro Chlor suggested, and was due to a higher level of emissions from a few plants, particularly one that underwent extensive maintenance in 2006.

The sector continued to convert mercury-based production to more energy efficient membrane technology, Euro Chlor said.

This helped to drive energy consumption per tonne of chorine produced down to an annual average of 3,440 kWh after a rise in 2005.

Membrane capacity would exceed mercury capacity for the fist time in 2007, it added.

In 2006, 43% of regional chlorine capacity was mercury based (43 plants in 14 countries), 39% membrane and 15% diaphragm.

The industry has a target to reduce mercury emission to 1g per tonne of chlorine capacity by the end of 2007.

By: Nigel Davis
+44 20 8652 3214

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