Introduction to the World Chlorine Council

The World Chlorine Council (WCC)—created in 1993—is a global network of national and regional chlorine-related trade associations and their member companies. WCC has participation from chlor-alkali producers in 27 countries and is striving to include all producers worldwide. WCC primarily aims to improve the performance and sustainability of the industry by promoting responsible stewardship practices and addressing safety, health, environmental and public policy issues. It is accredited as a non-governmental organization by the United Nations General Assembly, and recognized as a major stakeholder that can provide input into the U.N. system on priority international issues.

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WCC perspective on sustainability

Chlorine chemistry is essential to solving many of society’s greatest challenges—such as the need for clean water, affordable and durable housing, plentiful food and effective medicines—and is a central force in economies around the world. In addition to making useful products, the chlor-alkali industry is dedicated to continuous social, economic and environmental improvement, also known as the “triple bottom line” of sustainability.

To be sustainable, the chlorine industry must act from local, regional and global perspectives. We must maintain open and timely dialogue with regulators, elected officials, scientists, the media, investors, employees and other stakeholders. And we must share best practices for optimizing safety and minimizing emissions no matter where we are located. Our long-term vision is to achieve zero accidental releases, transportion and customer safety incidents. In the shorter term, we will strive to make significant improvements in these indicators, using new process and engineering solutions as they are developed.

WCC views sustainability as a journey, underway but not complete. Challenges remain, particularly in further reducing environmental emissions, increasing energy efficiency, improving safety, and implementing best practices globally. Addressing these challenges is not just driven by moral considerations. It also makes good business sense. The ability to fully integrate the principles of Sustainable Development might very well become a determining factor in the long-term survival of companies.

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Executive Summary

In the journey toward sustainability—and in support of the U.N. Millennium Development Goals—WCC and its members focus their energies on a range of activities. This report examines progress since publication of our first sustainability report and commitments for action in 2002.

Providing essential products (Chapter 1):Some 500 companies at 650 sites around the world have the capacity to produce over 58 million metric tonnes of chlorine and 62 million metric tonnes of its co-product, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) per year. These are used in more than half of all commercial chemistry applications to develop plastics, pharmaceuticals and vast numbers of other products. key end uses with potential to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals include products for safe drinking water, healthcare, nutrition, public safety, improved quality of life and environmental protection.

Developing scientific understanding (Chapter 2): WCC works to improve scientific knowledge and address public health and environmental challenges. One major effort is the International Council of Chemical Associations’ (ICCA) high Production volume initiative to learn more about products used in large quantities. National and regional initiatives are also underway.

Promoting sound management of chemicals (Chapter 3): WCC strongly supports the objectives for chemical management articulated at the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development, including the use of “transparent, science-based risk assessment procedures and science-based risk management procedures…to achieve minimization of significant adverse effects on health and the environment by 2020.” WCC and ICCA contributed to the development of the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), an international policy framework, and have launched voluntary initiatives to support its implementation.

Promoting resource conservation (Chapter 4): Resource conservation is an important—and challenging—element of sustainability for industry. WCC’s commitment to sustainable development includes the goals of energy and water conservation; these are being addressed both by individual companies and through regional and national programs.

Improving chlorine safety performance (Chapter 5): While chlorine-based products provide great benefit to society, the industry acknowledges the safety hazards of some aspects of its chemistry. Through the WCC safety program, the industry works to achieve continuous improvements in global safety performance at facilities and during transportation and use. WCC identifies new technologies and successful safety programs and broadly shares this information with facilities around the world.

Implementing Responsible Care® (Chapter 6): Commitment to and faithful implementation of Responsible Care— a global industry performance initiative to help safeguard employees, the environment and neighboring communities—is a condition of WCC membership. Responsible Care has been adopted in countries representing 76% of chlorine production; efforts continue to extend it to all producers, which is a challenge for the future. WCC views Responsible Care as the foundation on which all of its sustainability efforts are built.

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