Waste managementToday, we are all changing our attitudes to waste and looking for ways to make better use of our resources. This is no less true in the chlor-alkali industry, where concerns have been voiced about waste creation, recycling and disposal. More specifically, potential effects on health and the environment from waste created by PVC use and the disposal of chlorinated solvents have come under considerable scrutiny. Waste prevention and minimisationChlorine is one of chemistry's most reactive building blocks and it is this property which is key to its numerous and diverse uses. The industries which benefit from the use of chlorine aim to maximise its utility by taking advantage of this fundamental characteristic. Equally, technologies have been developed to optimise the recovery and recycling of chlorinated residues in order to minimise the quantity of waste for disposal. In PVC processing, for example, raw material recycling currently stands at around 95%, while, in other industries such as polyurethanes (di-isocyanate production) and agrochemicals (dichlorotoluene processing), chlorine recycling is a fully integrated part of the process. The same is true of silicone manufacture, where chlorine is recycled in the form of methyl chloride, while new clean technologies have been developed for ethylene dichloride (EDC) production, involving low-temperature chlorination and oxygen-mediated oxychlorination of ethylene. All industrial processes generate some waste. Euro Chlor emphasises that it is always preferable to ensure that, where appropriate, waste from chlorine production returns to nature in the form of common salt (sodium chloride) or calcium chloride. Alternatively, when liquid organic waste is produced, it may be converted into re-usable hydrogen chloride. Initial findings of research to identify further options for the treatment of chlorinated organic waste - including biotechnology - are encouraging. Significant progress has also been made to reduce or overcome the problems created by waste from the production of chlorine derivatives such as PVC and solvents. For example, better technologies have been developed to recycle used PVC into new materials, and for clean incineration of used PVC. Similarly, the activities of the European Chlorinated Solvent Association (a part of Euro Chlor) to promote recovery and recycling systems for spent solvents, have had very positive results. An estimated 20% of demand is now being filled by solvents recycled from the waste and re-used. Euro Chlor positionEuro Chlor, fully adheres to the Responsible Care commitment, and the waste minimisation voluntary environmental reporting programmes. It puts a very high priority on encouraging best practices in the handling, use and disposal of its member companies' products and wastes. Ultimately, where waste cannot be recycled, Euro Chlor supports energy recovery and incineration to the high standards set by the authorities. How can the chlorine industry minimise its waste? |