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Evolution of chlorine routes by process11/2009 Chlorine and caustic soda are produced by electrolysis using three main technologies – mercury, diaphragm and membrane. Ten years ago, the mercury technology accounted for more than 60% of European capacity. In 2009, it represented about 34% while the more energy-efficient membrane process has reached almost the half of the European installed capacity, continuing the gradual shift away from mercury cells as committed by European industry to close or convert such plants to non-mercury technology by 2020 (except for production of a few speciality chemicals). In the second half of 2008 and at the beginning of 2009 six mercury units shut down or reduced their activity in several countries. In Italy, Caffaro stopped a mercury plant (68,000 tonnes/year) in Torviscosa, Eredi Zarelli did likewise with the small plant of Piscinisco (6,000 tonnes/year) and Solvay shut down the Bussi mercury unit (87,000 tonnes/year) to convert it partially to the membrane technology. In UK, INEOS also definitively shut down a mercury cell room (150,000 tonnes/year) in Runcorn, like Tarnow did in Poland with its only site (43,000 tonnes/year). In Germany Vinnolit reduced its mercury capacity (minus 60,000 tonnes/year in Knapsack) and started a new membrane unit in Gendorf..
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