The UNEP Global Mercury Partnership estimates that some 100 facilities in 43 nations today use mercury in the chlor- alkali industry. The European chlor-alkali industry, producing chlorine and caustic soda from salt, has committed to the closure or conversion of its mercury-based plants by 2020. While agreeing to phase out mercury by 2020, the European chlor-alkali producers are actively engaged in the applica- tion of best practices when handling mercury during normal operation and during conversion to other technologies. In 2010, emissions for all mercury cells across Western Europe reached an all-time low of 0.88 grammes per tonne of chlo- rine capacity.
Forty-two mercury-based chlorine plants remain to be volun- tarily phased out or converted to non-mercury technology by 2020 at a cost of more than € 3,000 million. These plants ac- count for an ever-decreasing part (31.8% in 2010) of European chlor-alkali capacity (Euro Chlor website).
reduction will be achieved through the new Industrial Emis- sions Directive adopted in 2010, however, specific reduction or control requirements of mercury may still be required.
The EU Regulation on the Export Ban and Safe Storage of Metallic Mercury makes it legal to permanently store liquid mercury in underground salt mines or hard rock formations. An investigation into the safety of permanent storage of liq- uid mercury is under way in Germany, but it may be several years before it reaches a conclusion. The industry is therefore continuing to look into other permanent disposal solutions, including stabilized mercury.