Chlor-Alkali has a leading position in northwestern Europe for chlorine and caustic lye for industrial applications. It operates the biggest single merchant chlorine unit in Europe (Rotterdam), mainly supplying its customers by pipeline. Other production locations are Delfzijl, Bitterfeld, Ibbenbüren and Skoghall.
The main raw materials to produce chlorine and caustic lye are energy and salt.
Chlorine finds application in EDC/PVC, epoxies, polyurethanes, phosphorus compounds and caustic is used in a large number of processes in the chemical, pulp and paper, textile, food and mineral industries.
Examples of applications are:
- water demineralisation: regeneration of ion exchangers
- drinking water production: partial water softening
- beverages: bottle-cleaning
- dairy: cleaning production installations
- rayon industry: preparation of spinning solutions
- pharmaceutical industry: various products including sodium lactate
- cooking oils and fats: refining and purification
- production of starches and derivatives
- petroleum industry: refining and desulphurisation
- wastewater treatment: pH-correction, flocculent enhancers
- steel production: ammonia recovery in cokes production