Chlorine
Chlorine - Vinyl Council Australia
| Chlorine is a naturally-occurring chemical element, one of the basic building blocks of matter and an essential nutrient for plants and animals. It is one of the members of the ‘halogen’ group of elements, along with fluorine (F), bromine (Br), iodine (I) and astatine (At). Halogens contain seven outermost electrons which is a highly unstable configuration (eight is considered extremely stable) and they seek an additional electron to achieve a “stable octet.” As a result, Halogens are always found in nature chemically bonded. Because of its “pursuit” of a stable outer electron shell, Chlorine is a highly reactive substance with the ability to combine directly with other elements. It can form many types of compounds, including salts, and is a good oxidiser. Chlorine can be manufactured from a number of sources, most commonly salt or sodium chloride. There are thousands of naturally occurring “organochlorine” compounds — chlorine-containing organic compounds — that have been identified in living organisms. |
| Chlorine (Cl) is used in the manufacture of chlorinated organic chemicals which make a significant contribution to modern building materials, healthcare and living standards, for example in: • water purification • >90 per cent of prescription pharmaceuticals • certain plastics • silicons • flame-retardant compounds • paints |
| Chlorine production is inextricably linked to the production of caustic soda. |
| Chlorine and caustic soda are co-products, roughly evenly produced by the chlor-alkali industry. Since chlorine cannot be stored, chlor-alkali plants are operated in line with demand for chlorine, itself highly influenced by the demand for PVC. Worldwide about 35-40 per cent of the chlorine manufactured is used to make PVC. Demand for PVC is, to a large extent, driven by construction activity and infrastructure investment. Both chlorine and caustic soda are fundamental to the manufacture of a wide range of modern materials. Caustic soda demand is largely taken up by aluminum production, wood pulping for paper production and soap making. In Australia, about 60 per cent of the chemical manufacturing industry involves the direct use of chlorine but almost all chemical manufacturing relies indirectly on chlorine or chlorine products. Most modern building materials – metals and plastics – would be hard-placed to exist without the chlor-alkali industry. |
