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The WCC Mercury Workshops are part of a long-standing WCC commitment
to share best practices. Prior to the formation of the Global Partnership
on Mercury Reduction in the Chlor-Alkali Sector, the WCC organized
workshops in Brazil (2003) and India (2004). Reports on these workshops
were presented at the 23rd UNEP Governing Council in 2005. As part
of the Partnership, additional workshops were organized in Russia
(2005) and Mexico (2006).
- Brazil (2003): WCC member association Chlorosur (South
American Association of the Chlor-Alkali and Derivatives Industry)
led the effort to organize the Mercury Workshop held in São Paulo,
in September 2003. The workshop offered managers and technical
representatives from chlor-alkali producers in Latin America and
elsewhere, as well as environment regulators, academics and others,
the opportunity to discuss best practices adopted in the chlor-alkali
sector worldwide.
Funding for this workshop was from WCC member associations.
- Workshop Report
- India (2004): WCC member, the Alkali Manufacturers' Association
of India (AMAI) organized the WCC - Indian Chlor Alkali Plants
Mercury Conference in April 2004, in Manesar, near New Delhi.
The conference was largely attended by members from Indian industry
and government along with experts from the global chlor-alkali
industry and other governments.
Funding for this workshop was from WCC member associations.
- Workshop Report
- Russia (2006): Working with Ruschlor (the Russian chlor-alkali
industry association), the United States, Canada, Norway, the
Russian Cleaner Production and Sustainable Development Center,
Volgograd Regional Environment Authority, and WCC sponsored a
Russia Mercury Workshop in November 2005 in Volgograd. In preparation
for the workshop, Ruschlor completed mercury audits at three Russian
mercury cell chlor-alkali facilities and presented the results
of the audits at the workshop. This information was used to identify
potential areas for improvement and best practices for reducing
mercury use/releases. Through Euro Chlor, WCC provided technical
support for the workshop and also helped coordinate a tour of
state-of-the-art chlor-alkali facilities in Germany, Spain and
Italy for representatives of the Russian chlor-alkali industry.
For more information, please see the Russia Mercury Workshop Report
below.
After the workshop, facility representatives received comprehensive
"cleaner production training" and worked to develop specific demonstration
projects for reducing mercury releases. These projects have been
catalogued and are being further evaluated for possible implementation
by Russian industry with support through the Arctic Council and
other donors. Approved demonstration projects are scheduled to
begin in late 2006 and some are expected to be completed in 2007.
Funding for this workshop and the follow-up work was provided
by US EPA through the Arctic Council Action Plan Program, Environment
Canada, Norwegian Pollution Control Authority, Volgograd Caustic,
and WCC. These same organizations are also working to fund implementation
of specific demonstration projects. When complete these projects
are expected to reduce mercury consumption and emissions from
the chlor-alkali sector in Russia by as much as 25 percent.
- Workshop Report
- Mexico (2006): WCC and the Mexican National Association
of Chemical Industries (ANIQ) sector hosted a Mexico Mercury Workshop
in March 2006, in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. Fifty participants
attended the workshop including representatives from chlor-alkali
facilities in Mexico (20) and other Latin American countries (5);
global industry experts [US(2), Europe(1), Brazil(2)]; WCC trade
organizations (5); equipment and analytical service vendors (6);
and governmental representatives (12) from UNEP, Mexico [Centro
Nacional de Investigación y Capacitación Ambiental (CENICA) and
Secretaría del Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales (SEMARNAT)],
United States (US Environmental Protection Agency), India (Ministry
of Environment and Forests India) and Argentina (Unidad de Residuos
Peligrosos Direccion Nacional de Gestion Ambiental). The workshop
focused on exchanging technical information on best practices
for reducing mercury use and releases. As a result of the workshop,
one of the Mexican facilities is implementing specific projects
to reduce mercury emissions. For more information, please see
the Mexico Mercury Workshop Report below.
Funding for this workshop was provided by UNEP, US EPA and WCC,
with additional regional support from the two Mexican chlor-alkali
companies Mexichem and Cydsa/IQUISA, as part of the Global Mercury
Partnership.
- Workshop Report
- Facility Report
The information contained in these workshop materials is drawn
from sources believed to be reliable. The World Chlorine Council and
their association members, including ANIQ, EuroChlor, The Chlorine
Institute, jointly and severally make no guarantee and assume no liability
in connection with any information. Moreover, it should not be assumed
that every acceptable procedure is included, or that special circumstances
may not warrant modified or additional procedures. The user should
be aware that changing technology or regulations may require changes
in the recommendations contained herein. Appropriate steps should
be taken to ensure that the information is current when used. The
information, recommendations, and/or guidelines should not be confused
with federal, state, provincial, municipal, or insurance requirements
or with national safety codes.
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