| There have always been strong environmental | | | | 25 to 37 percent per ton of chlorine produced. Since |
| reasons for mercury-cell chlorine plants to shift to | | | | electricity makes up half of production costs, these |
| mercury-free technology, but a new report by Oceana | | | | savings come out to be millions of dollars. Furthermore, |
| puts forward a strong business case, as well. The | | | | plants that convert to the newer technology generally |
| report, entitled “Cleaning Up: Taking Mercury-Free | | | | increase their capacity by 25 percent. Assuming four |
| Chlorine Production to the Bank,” analyzes over 115 | | | | of the five mercury-cell chlor-alkali plants converted |
| chlorine plants that are shifting or have successfully | | | | and increased their capacity accordingly, their |
| shifted from mercury-based technology to weigh the | | | | aggregate sales would increase by more than $300 |
| costs of converting against the profits from doing so. | | | | million over five years! |
| The results are clear: The energy cost savings and | | | | As the report demonstrates through its calculations |
| the potential to increase capacity due to the smaller | | | | and examples, keeping the antiquated technology is |
| cells of the membrane technology allow for substantial | | | | costly—to the environment, to public health, and to |
| savings that can more than make up for the cost of | | | | the company. There’s absolutely no good reason |
| the upgrade. Plants that have shifted to mercury-free | | | | the last four plants shouldn’t switch. |
| technology have increased their energy efficiency by | | | | |