Chlorine producers publish sustainability bench marks

Brussels, February 24, 2003 - - Chlorine is one of the first sectors of the European chemical industry to develop sustainability performance indicators. A year ago the trade association Euro Chlor published a sustainability strategy for the chlor-alkali sector and made six voluntary commitments (see panel) on behalf of its members (40 companies producing more than 20 million tonnes a year of chlorine, caustic soda and hydrogen).

Euro Chlor sustainability commitments

  • Include environment, social and economic aspects in all strategic business decision-making within the chlor-alkali industry.
  • Optimise energy efficiency in chlor-alkali production.
  • Minimise water use through increased recyling.
  • Continuously reduce emissions to water, air and land.
  • Optimise the use of hydrogen generated in the chlor-alkali industry as a raw material or fuel.
  • Maintain a strong emphasis on safe chlorine transportation.

Since publication of these six commitments in January 2002, a Euro Chlor task force representing a cross-section of the membership has tackled the task of turning them into measurable goals, or Sustainability Indicators.

Methods and guidelines were developed and presented to members at the federation's annual assembly (September 2002). These have since been further refined and evaluated for relevance in terms of contributing towards the three key areas of sustainability - environmental protection, social progress and economic development.

Chlorine industry sustainability indicators

 
Environmental Protection
Safety & Social Progress
Economic Development

Environmental Protection
Emissions of COCs
X
X
X
Mercury emissions
X
X
X
Product knowledge
X
X
X
Transport modes
X
X
X
Responsible Care
X
X
X
 

Safety & Social Progress
Lost time injuries
 
X
X
Process Incidents
X
X
X
Transport incidents
X
X
X
 

Economic Contribution
Manufacturing route
X
 
X
Economic development
 
X
X
Chlorine transported
 
 
X
Energy use
X
X
X
Water use
X
X
X
Hydrogen use
X
X
X

Questionnaires were developed for each sustainability indicator and distributed to all member companies. Responses for the base-line year 2001 have been consolidated into overall figures for the whole industry. (N.B. company-specific data is confidential and not divulged.)

Base-line data will provide the framework for Euro Chlor to work during 2003 towards the development of longer-term sustainability goals for the industry. These will be published to provide stakeholders with the ability to assess the industry's performance against commitments.

Euro Chlor Executive Director Dr Barrie S Gilliatt believes that considerable progress has been made since the federation's Management Committee first decided two years ago that the industry's future right to operate depended largely on the sector's ability to address public concerns about the sustainability of chlorine. "I have been extremely encouraged by the progress and commitment of producers," he said. "The future of our sector depends not only on how we respond to the challenges of sustainability, but that we do so in an open and transparent manner."

Further information:
backgrounder - sustainability indicators: 2001 results

Contact:
Peter Whippy, Communications Manager
Tel: + 32 2 676 73 51; Fax: + 32 2 676 72 41
email: eurochlorpress@cefic.be

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