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An ever more sustainable industry09/2009 The European chlor-alkali industry believes that a better understanding of the sector and a continuing improvement in performance can be achieved through sustainable development. In January 2004, European chlorine producers released details of sustainability goals for 2010. They are believed to be the first long-term sustainability goals developed by a major sector of the chemical industry, with all member companies committing to the programme. Click on any of the links below to find out in more detail about what the chlor-alkali sector is doing to address environmental, social and economic issues through developing a sustainable industry. Mercury emissionsAlthough all other programme deadlines are for 2010, the industry decided to maintain an earlier 1998 commitment to achieve an emission target of 1 g Hg/t chlorine capacity on a national basis by end 2007, with no plant being above 1.5 g Hg/t chlorine capacity. The industry elected to keep the earlier date, since from October 2007 all EU chlor-alkali plants whether membrane, mercury or diaphragms require an operating permit under the Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) Directive. Overall European emissions in 2008 amounted to 0.92 g Hg/tonne chlorine capacity compared with 0.97 g Hg/t in 2007. The average mercury emissions for Western European countries decreased also to 0.91 g/t capacity. So, even with small oscillations, the overall level of emissions continues its decreasing trend, mainly due to the improvements of the worse plants, as more production units are stabilised at their best realistic performances. Inspired by its communications policy of openness and transparency, Euro Chlor also publishes the yearly mercury emissions data of individual plants. Click here to access the last years’ figures.
Publications on sustainability
Sustainability news releases
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