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Chlorinated Paraffins Video

Chlorinated Paraffins Video

Chlorinated paraffins are interesting molecules. See in this video why

The Chlorine tree

The Chlorine tree

Explore many applications of chlorine chemistry in the chlorine tree

The Chlorine Industry Review

The Chlorine Industry Review

The reference publication for the European chlor-alkali industry

What are chlorinated paraffins?

The interests of European chlorinated paraffins producers and consumers are represented by the Chlorinated Paraffins Sector Group (part of Euro Chlor) which works to support the long-term sustainability of the chlorinated paraffins industry.

The group defines and promotes safe practices and seeks to further increase our knowledge of paraffin-based products.

Chlorinated paraffins are manufactured by the chlorination of n-paraffin or paraffin wax, normally in a batch process. The reaction is exothermic and leads to the generation of the by-product hydrochloric acid. After removing residual traces of acid, a stabiliser is added to produce finished batches.

Chlorinated paraffins, which contain 30-70% chlorine, are largely inert and almost insoluble in water. Paraffins have extremely low vapour pressure. Most commercial chlorinated paraffin products are liquid and range from relatively low to extremely high viscosity. There are also solid types which have longer carbon chain lengths and usually contain 70-72% chlorine.

Increasing the chlorine content results in products with greater viscosity and density. Chlorinated paraffins are capable of mixing with many organic solvents such as aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents, ketones and esters.

Learn more about chlorinated paraffins in this YouTube video.

How various commercial products differ?

The range of chlorinated paraffins available are generally grouped into a number of distinct 'families', depending on the chain-length of the feedstock, i.e.:

short-chain: based on C10-13 paraffin

medium-chain: based on C14-17 paraffin

long-chain: based on C18-20 (liquids), C>20 (liquids) and C20 wax grades (average carbon chain length approximately C25)

This distinction is important when considering toxicity or environmental effects as it has been found that these can vary depending on the chain length.

Liquid grades of chlorinated paraffin are produced from each of these feedstock types. The solid grades (with 70-72% chlorine content) are made from a wax feedstock.

The total world production of chlorinated paraffins is approximately 300,000 tonnes per year.

Major producers

INEOS Chlor, Caffaro, Química del Cinca, Leuna Tenside and Novácke Chemické Závody in the EU; Dover Chemicals in North America; NCP Exports in South Africa; Orica in Australia. There are numerous other producers in Asia, principally in India, China, Taiwan (Handy) and Japan (Tosoh).

The following companies are Members of the Chlorinated Paraffins SG:

and Associated Member:

  •   NCP (South Africa)

 Last update: 09/2011