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Brussels, August 23, 2002 - - During the past decade, the Western European chlorine sector - a prime target of NGO activists during the1990s - has progressively moved to address sustainability concerns, but public perceptions of the chemical are often still locked in the past.

Chlorine producers have significantly reduced manufacturing emissions to the environment and through the Brussels-based Euro Chlor Federation, made a number of voluntary environmental commitments. Now, an ad hoc group - representing a cross-section of member companies - is defining what represents a major step forward: converting six qualitative sustainability goals first endorsed last year by the producers into 12 quantifiable and reportable measures. A draft of the goals will be reviewed at the federation's annual assembly next month and represents a tangible commitment to sustainable development.

"Sustainability poses a major challenge for our sector, but also creates opportunities," commented Philippe Pernot (Atofina), co-chairman of Euro Chlor: "It pushes producers to be at the forefront of balancing economic, social and environmental needs."

Following its assembly, Euro Chlor will help prepare the final goals that it expects to share with governments, politicians, industry observers and others interested in these developments. The measures include reducing energy consumption, increasing water recycling and making better use of hydrogen as a raw material or fuel.

Commented Dr Barrie S Gilliatt (Euro Chlor Executive Director): "Reducing energy consumption is high on the list of sustainability targets for governments and environmental NGOs. For an energy intensive sector such as ours, this is likely to require newer technologies and operational methods involving higher capital expenditures and longer payback periods.

"This is a particular challenge for chlorine producers, whose plants typically have a useful working life of 30 to 40 years. But as a critical supplier to the broader chemical and pharmaceutical industries, the chlor-alkali sector has no alternative - the world moves on and we must move with it."

Producers are steadily converting the mercury cell plants that produce most of the chlorine to less energy intensive processes. By 2010 it is estimated that membrane technology will have replaced more than 60% of the Western European mercury capacity that existed in the early 1990s when the industry voluntarily committed not to build any more mercury plants. The remaining mercury-based production will have virtually disappeared by 2020.

Length: 370 words.

Footnote to Editors

Euro Chlor represents 90 European industrial companies employing more than 40,000 people across 21 countries. The sector produces more than 20 million tonnes a year of chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen. It underpins 55-60% of European chemical industry turnover (2,000: EUR 488, 000 million).

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