2024 WCC update and future plans

Dear WCC Colleagues and Friends,

How time has flown in the eight months since we took over the management of WCC at the beginning of the year. To kickstart this role and optimise value for all participants, Euro Chlor team members held meetings in December 2023 with some of you, our counterparts from other global regions. These discussions focused on aligning expectations for WCC, and activities and events planned for 2024. Company members in each WCC region have been encouraged to join WCC events and a letter was sent to each region to cascade on to their respective members to explain the benefits of such participation. We look forward to hearing the progress you have made on this at our Annual meeting on 15-17 October in Sitges, Spain.

Several WCC events have already taken place so far this year, starting with a webinar on PFAS on 14 February for 70 association and company members across various WCC regions. The session covered updates on the EU restriction proposal and the application of PFAS within our industry and broader chemical sector. Subsequently, an online WCC Management Committee meeting was held on 23 April, which covered feedback from the above-mentioned Euro Chlor discussions with the regions; updates from the three main global teams covering safety, advocacy and science, and communications; and ended with administrative details.

Throughout the year, these WCC teams have also held meetings to update their respective participants and progress their respective projects. Read more details on these in the articles below.

I wish you all a successful September and look forward to seeing some of you in a few weeks in Spain. This Annual meeting will feature a site visit to Covestro Tarragona, networking opportunities and online briefing sessions on key topics for all association memberships. Contact Maud Bertolino for any information.

Last but not least, we extend our sincere thanks to the Chlorine Institute (CI) for their leadership over the past two years.

Marleen Pauwels

Regional Spotlight: Clorosur

Boosting the Chlor-Alkali Industry in Brazil and Latin America
Clorosur, the Latin American Association of the Chlor-Alkali and Derivatives Industry, is a representative organisation important to the chemical sector in Brazil and Latin America. Bringing together the main chlor-alkali producers, Clorosur plays a key role in promoting the sustainable development and competitiveness of the industry.

2024 so far has featured several initiatives and achievements by the organisation on behalf of the sector. Included among the highlights are the following:

Innovation and Sustainability
In July, a study was concluded that was carried out by the University of São Paulo (USP) and commissioned by Clorosur. This study confirmed the effectiveness of bleach in combating the larvae of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which transmits dengue fever. The study shows that sodium hypochlorite can eliminate mosquito larvae, making a marked contribution to preventing the disease.

This research reinforces how important it is for science and industry to work together to find innovative and affordable solutions to public health challenges.

Strengthening dialogue with the public sector
In April, Clorosur, together with the Institute for the Development of Chemistry and the Parliamentary Front for Chemistry, visited the Cubatão Petrochemical Complex, one of Brazil’s largest chemical complexes, providing an opportunity for dialogue between the private sector and the public authorities. The visit gave insight into the member companies' operations and identified opportunities for continuous improvement in production processes.

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion
In addition, Clorosur was involved in several initiatives aimed at promoting diversity in the chlor-alkali sector. In March, Clorosur joined the Vez & VOZ - Women in Road Freight Transport movement, an initiative of the Union of Freight Transport Companies, which aims to show appreciation for women in road freight transport and promote their professional growth within the sector itself and attract new female talent.

Knowledge and Good Practices
A highly successful webinar on Sodium Hypochlorite: Uses and Applications was held on 6 August. This event, broadcast on Abiclor's YouTube channel, brought together experts from the sector to discuss the latest features and trends in the market. It covered topics such as production, application and product safety.

Events
The 2024 Edition of the Chlor-Alkali Industry’s Distribution and Safe Transport Meeting was held on 16 August and brought together producers, distributors and transporters to discuss the challenges and opportunities of safely transporting products in the chlor-alkali sector. Key topics included decarbonisation in transport, the presence of women and the Latin American chlor-alkali market.

At the event, Clorosur celebrated the 23rd award ceremony for transport companies who have achieved the best performance in terms of safety, sustainability, reliability and efficiency.