Press release
BorsodChem Zrt. and its consortium partners have started the implementation of the project “Energy efficient and environmentally friendly neutralization and recycling of chemical residues”
The project, which will result in a more environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and economical process replacing the current technology, which has a higher environmental impact, started on 2 May 2016 and is expected to be completed in 2018. The aid is financed by the European Regional Development Fund and amounts to HUF 2 039 million, which is non-reimbursable.
The main reason for setting up the new plant, which is part of the investment, is that an EU decision requires the phase-out of mercury cathode brine electrolysis technologies in chlor-alkali production by December 2017. Based on this decision, BorsodChem will replace the mercury cathode brine electrolysis plant and build a new plant in compliance with the new requirements, which will have the advantage of significant electricity savings, resulting in lower CO2 emissions, and the elimination of the use of mercury in chlorine production.
Currently, BorsodChem Zrt. uses high specific amounts of chemicals and heat for the decomposition of sodium chlorate in chlorine production, which can be expected to be significantly reduced with the help of a suitable catalyst. This type of technology and catalyst is not available on the market today, and its development requires R&D activities. The researchers’ task is to find a solution to reduce this pollution by improving the current technological process and developing new technological processes, which are crucial to make the system more economical and efficient.
BorsodChem Zrt. has established a 5-member consortium with the University of Miskolc, the Hungarian Development Institute Nonprofit Zrt., Bay Zoltán Applied Research Nonprofit Ltd. and VGSZ Chemical Machinery and Services Ltd. to carry out joint R&D tasks for the catalytic removal of chlorate, which will result in a patentable process.
