What do mobile phones and pain relievers have in common…?

…they both use chlor-alkali chemistry to get us through a hard day!

Chlor-alkali is used to make pain relievers; a perfect remedy to your aches and pains!

Sodium-based chemicals from caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) and hydrogen chloride from chlorine or chlorination processes are key to producing pain medications such as aspirin and paracetamol.

Sodium hydroxide is especially important in making aspirin as it adjusts the acidity of the chemical that gives this medicine its painkilling properties.

Chlor-alkali chemistry goes even further as it disinfects drinking water and makes PVC for sterile blood bags.

Read more about how chlor-alkali keeps us healthy in lots of different ways here >

Learn about Marie, a pharmacist who uses chlor-alkali to ensure people receive the correct medication >

Learn about Olga, a surgeon who uses chlor-alkali to help repair our bodies >

.. and is also used to make batteries and microchips for phones.

Many gadgets that we use each day, including smart phones, rely on efficient computing chips to keep us all connected. These chips are made from high quality silicon which is purified using hydrochloric acid, an important chlor-alkali chemical.

Batteries also rely on alkali chemistry. Alkaline batteries are a contained chemical reaction with potassium hydroxide acting as the electrolyte that helps transfer the electrons which power your gadget.

…not to mention cases and casings

Polyurethanes and polycarbonates are also used in protective cases, and polycarbonate now features in 5G small cell casings.

Discover more about chlor-alkali’s role in cutting edge technology >

See how we rely on chlor-alkali to have fun >

Meet Tuan, an IT specialist who relies on chlor-alkali materials in his work >

 

Chlor-alkali is vital for many products in our daily life.

 

 

 
  • Check out this video to learn more about the chlor-alkali products you use every day…
  • Or learn where chlorine, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), caustic potash (potassium hydroxide) and hydrogen are used in our ‘trees’…
  • Or meet Mr C, to see how life has improved since the Stone Age thanks, in part, to chlor-alkali chemistry…
  • And discover the 17 successes, Europeans whose work is made safer, easier or more sustainable thanks to chlor-alkali!
  • Contact eurochlor@cefic.be for more information