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World Chlorine Council Newsletter | December 2022 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏
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Contents
- Welcome Message
- NEW! Regional Spotlight
- Annual Meeting and Regional Team Reports
- Future WCC Meetings
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Happy Holidays and New Year!
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Dear WCC Colleagues and Friends:
2022 marked a partial return to normal for WCC. For the first time since 2019 the WCC Annual meeting was held in person in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While it was scaled down due to ongoing COVID related travel restrictions in certain regions members were excited to reconnect with their global partners including Japan, Korea, Europe, and South America. Those that joined us were able to continue valuable peer-to-peer networking between international colleagues and shared technical knowledge on timely Chlorine issues, followed by a visit to Occidental Chemical Corporation’s Convent Plant. Clorosur in Costa do Sauipe, Bahia, Brazil provided their leadership in hosting this years’ WCC Safety Seminar in conjunction with the Clorosur Annual meeting. Clorosur provided an exceptional opportunity to exchange excellent examples and goals for improving our safety performance. As one of the emerging topics of interest, polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances rose to the top of the Annual meeting agenda. The WCC plans to continue to tackle this important issue, understanding and addressing regulations, challenges, and strategies for a variety of regions.
As we move into 2023, I reminisce on how far we have come in holding steadfast through the pandemic and I look forward to what we will bring to the new year. In the meantime, I wish you and your families a wonderful holiday season!
Thank you,
Frank Reiner
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Regional Spotlight: Clorosur
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Congratulations to Colorsur's successful Seminar!
Clorosur held their XII International Technical Seminar and Table-Top Expo on November 20 – 23, 2022 in Sauípe – Bahia/Brazil and with confirmation it was the biggest event of Latin America’s chlor-alkali industry. It was attended by representatives of the segment’s main associations, such as the WCC, CI and Euro Chlor, along with more than 170 participants from 22 countries, representing all of the companies linked to Clorosur, as well as the main chlor-alkali producing regions around the world and the major technology suppliers. Registrations were already sold out two months beforehand. For Milton Rego, Abiclor and Clorosur's executive president, "The Association has a vital role to play in consolidating the agendas of the various countries in terms of common objectives, rooted in the sector's safety and sustainability. This perception is shared by the industries of the member countries".
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WCC Annual Meeting Regional Reports
India: Alkali Manufacturers Association of India (AMAI) held their 45th Annual General Meeting in-person on September 26, 2022. AMAI discussed the industries status post-COVID and despite the second wave of the pandemic affecting the country, demand picked up and sustained through the year. AMAI discussed caustic soda and chlorine consumption numbers during 2021-2022. They reported on a Mutual Aid Pan-India Chlorine Emergency Response Network as it is supported by Toll-Free Service and all India chlor-alkali industries are in partnership. The network is constantly monitored for effectiveness and efficiency in mitigation of chlorine incidents. Also, AMAI continues to hold chlorine safety training programs by conducting trainings that share best practices in the chlor-alkali industry. Additionally, they discussed development of safety benchmark documents for minimum compliance, chlorine for water treatment through Gol Jeevan Mission, transportation, National Action Plan on climate change, India’s green energy roadmap, and issues going forward. China: China Chlor-Alkali Industry Association (CCAIA) held a virtual conference on June 16, 2022, on caustic soda energy conservation and carbon reduction. More than 1500 representatives from hundreds of chlor-alkali industry chain enterprises participated in the conference online, and the conference achieved good results. CCAIA continues to strengthen their dual carbon strategy research and promote energy conservation and emissions reduction in the chlor-alkali industry. Also, CCAIA has established a work committee to organize and participate in the formulation and revision of relevant national standards in the chlor-alkali industry. Finally, on August 17, 2022, the third session of the 11th Council was held in Kunming. Zhang Wenlei, the president of the Association, presided over the meeting. The Association made a report on the work summary in 2021 and the first half of 2022 and the key points of the Association's work in the next stage. Europe: Euro Chlor welcomed its new Chairman, Johan Van Den Broeck and general manager of administrative activities, Maud Bertolino. The Halogens Industry Sector Board held its second meeting which gathered the chairs of the 10 Halogens Sector Groups and their representatives in the Cefic bodies. Euro Chlor’s Management Committee identified three priority trends that impact their Mid-Century Strategy. Also, Euro Chlor launched its third 10-year Sustainability Program, held its 11th Technology Conference & Exhibition, and published their 2022 Eco-profile report. Regarding communications, Euro Chlor launched several activities which included three new “17 Careers’ videos and an interactive safety game that is in its final phase of completion. Euro Chlor plans to develop and organize training course for transport companies. Euro Chlor’s key issues deal with energy crisis, hydrogen renewable energy challenges, and PFAS ban/restrictions on products for the industry. Japan: Japan Soda Industry Association (JSIA) provided a brief description of an HCL leakage as it was estimated that 1,228 tons were leaked into a nearby ocean. Details are under investigation and no persons were injured or hospitalized. JSIA reported the Industrial Safety and Health Act will be updated next year. Also, a chemical risk assessment will be conducted and recorded by the authorized experts at each chemical site. JSIA discussed the Autonomous Chemical Management Plans for the next five years as the government will train experts, and make each company, including SMEs, carry out risk assessment autonomously. Finally, JSIA shared their internal organization news as Mr. Shigeru Moriyama in charge of WCC in JSIA will be replaced by Mr. Hideyuki Tanaka as of December 21. Korea: Korea Chlor Alkali Industry Association (KCAIA) provided an update on their KCAIA Environment and Safety Committee meeting in July. Unfortunately, their 15th East Asia Chlor Alkali meeting was postponed due to COVID. Also, they discussed the designation of sodium hypochlorite, KCAIA has requested to postpone the designation of sodium hypochlorite as a toxic substance. KCAIA discussed the progress on K-REACH which designates and regulates all toxic chemicals under the same rules without consideration of characteristics of each substance. Regarding incidents related to chlor-alkali, most were related to HCI by transportation and corrosion of equipment. Also, emission trading scheme was discussed as the price was $40/tCO2e before 2021, then price decreased to $10s - $30s range in 2021. The lower operation of manufacturing industry, less travel, decreased coal power generation resulted in less demand. They expect to introduce more trading opportunities to reinforce the function of the trading market. Finally, Korea experienced a COVID resurge this summer which turned downward and now conditions are normal again. South America: Clorosur reported on future perspectives of green products which include the use of electricity from renewable sources, energy and water efficiency, reduction of C02 emissions, production of chlor-alkali green products and green hydrogen. Latin America’s main constraints are energy, infrastructure, finances, and lack of industrial policies. Clorosur discussed the actions for 2023 as they will support increase of chlorine consumption, accident learning, establish Committee and Emergency Care Plan, and training courses. Additionally, Clorosur has translated CI Pamphlets to Spanish. Regarding climate change and energy, Clorosur discussed Mexico’s goal reduction for 2030. Also, the Abiclor signed with the Environmental Agency (CETESB) Protocol of Intention for Sustainability regarding the UN SDGs. Finally, Clorosur will participate in the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership’s Chlor-Alkali Partnership meeting (13th Partnership Advisory Group). North America: CI and ACC jointly discussed topics related to the chlor-alkali industry in North America. Regarding energy, CI reported on shale gas as it is an abundant and affordable natural gas making the US a global destination for chemical manufacturing. The regulations on asbestos diaphragm are ongoing as the US is facing their final rule in November 2023. Canada has made a final rule with the ban of asbestos until 2029. CI continues to manage the chlorine re-registration under EPA’s FIFRA program, RUP implementation, emergency preparedness, transportation, and pamphlet publications. ACC has launched a new Chlorine Panel as it works to promote and protect the sustainability of chlorine chemistry processes, products, and applications. The Panel has launched a new industry group site discussing the benefits of chlorine chemistry. The Chemistry Industry Association of Canada is facing supply chain concerns with network reliability and rail labor. Regarding Canadian regulatory, the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) has new expectations for training under the Part 6 of the TDG Regulations which were published. Transport Canada is developing a TDG Registration Database and Regulations. Transport Canada also published a final version of the Transport Information Regulations. Additionally, the Canadian General Standards Board has published the draft standards for tank cars and ton containers. Finally, under environment and health, chlorine was determined to be CEPA non-toxic under the Canadian Management Plan which means that chlorine is already well-managed and new regulations are unnecessary.
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WCC Team Reports
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Global Advocacy & Science Team (GAST) The United Nation (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), WCC has noted that chlorine chemistry plays a role in achieving approximately half of the 17 goals. This includes SDG #6, the goal for universal access to safely managed drinking water and sanitation. To this end, the WCC Chlorine Disinfection Task Force continues to promote chlorine chemistry’s role by publishing news articles on the WCC Website and Twitter. As example, an article was published promoting chlorine disinfection chemistries (contact surface treatment) as an asset during the global Mpox Virus outbreak. Another article was published celebrating International Day of the Girl Child, which recognized women water collection responsibilities in 80% of water-deprived households. The WCC GAST & Task Force welcome article ideas to further promote the importance of chlorine chemistries from all regions and will strategize publication topics with the WCC GCT.
Lead by Mary Ostrowski, the WCC Chlorine Disinfection Task Force also organized a successful October 2022 Pool Chemical Safety Virtual Webinar. This two-hour event featured four presentations addressing the safe use and storage of pool chemicals, underlying issues in pool chemical incidents, pool chemical injury data, and freely available safety resources. This event was well attended by stakeholders from many sectors (81 total participants including presenters) and provided Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for attendees.
Regarding chrysotile asbestos use in the chlor-alkali industry in the US was determined by the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk evaluation to have an “unreasonable risk to workers.” EPA was obligated to promulgate a risk management rule which was published in April 2022. The proposed rule is an aggressive two-year phase out or a five-year phase out with an existing chemical exposure limit. ACC and CI submitted extensive comments to EPA. Stemming from WCC Annual Meeting conversation, a PFAS Roundtable Meeting (including several WCC GAST members) was organized in November 2022 to discuss emerging PFAS issues. The group discussed the genesis of PFAS definitions, restrictions, and rulemakings, and also reviewed the current status of active rulemakings and restriction proposals on-going in both the US and Europe. In addition, discussion was held regarding equipment, alternative technology, and measurement techniques. Through the lens of sound science, the WCC GAST will continue to observe evolving regulation and restriction activities to understand and support regional and member company needs. Contact: Daniel Stein
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Global Safety Team (GST)
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The Global Safety Team published four Global Safety Newsletters this year with selected pictures of some incidents. On the quarterly calls, the GST shared incidents and welcomed the participation from all regions.
Next year's WCC Global Safety Seminar, in partnership with Malaysian chlorine producer Chemical Company of Malaysia (CCM), will be held on June 13-14, 2023, in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
This year’s Seminar will feature sessions on topics including accidental mixing, process safety, employee engagement and training, lessons learned from past incidents, and much more. On the final day, attendees will tour a nearby CCM chlorine production facility. Registration will open soon!
Contact: Robyn Brooks
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Global Communications Team (GCT)
The GCT met in October 2022 during the WCC Annual meeting to review plans and goals for next year. The Committee discussed UN 2023 Water Conference, CL17 SharePoint, and social media. WCC’s website continues to be updated with relevant news articles. Members are encouraged to volunteer News Updates to be posted on the website. Also, regions are encouraged to link to the WCC website on their own organizations’ websites and social media.
Follow us on Twitter! @ChlorineWorld. GCT is monitoring daily for chlorine related activity. Additionally, the Committee is reposting and liking relevant tweets and generating content associated to WCC news articles.
Have suggestions? Contact: LeaAnne Forest
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Future WCC Meetings
WCC Annual Meeting October 16-20, 2023; Brasilia, Federal District of Brazil
WCC Safety Seminar June 13-14, 2023; Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Contact Michelle Jurgens, CI Manager of Administrative Functions, Board Secretary & Treasurer with any questions about these meetings.
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