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Mercury losses from the chlor-alkali industry in 2017

Data are available on ODIMS via: https://odims.ospar.org/documents/1328

This report presents the 2017 data on production capacities, atmospheric emissions of mercury, and the amount of mercury in safely deposited wastes.

The mercury-cell-based chlorine production capacities have further decreased from 2014-2017, equating to a 40,80% reduction. This is primarily due to the shutting down of three mercury cell plants.

Mercury losses through product, waste water and air discharging into the OSPAR convention area have fallen by 50,01% since the last report published in 2016, continuing the decreasing trend since the mid-1990s.

Over the years, atmospheric emissions of mercury have been significantly reduced. Significant reductions are reported from all the relevant countries leading to a total of a 58.67% reduction from 2014 to 2017. All plants now comply with the limit value of 2 g Hg/t Cl2 for air emissions in PARCOM Decision 90/3.

Altogether the reported figures show clearly the results of the efforts, which have been achieved since 1998.

Full Report

Location and status of mercury-based chlor-alkali plants in the OSPAR Maritime Area in 2017. Available via https://odims.ospar.org/layers/geonode:ospar_chlor_alkali_data_2017_03_001