Chlorinated compounds are found in our blood, skin and teeth and, as hydrochloric acid, in our digestive system. Environment More than one third of all chlorine made in Western Europe is recycled and re-used within the production plants. Because chlorine is toxic, producers have endeavoured to locate production and processing facilities together on the same site, thus minimising transportation. Many chemicals, plastics and medicines depend on chlorine during the manufacturing process, although the chemical is not contained in the end product. A third of all chlorine is used in the production of plastics, such as PVC, for use in construction, automotive, electronic and electrical industries.
Caustic soda is an important co-product of chlorine manufacture.
Economics Almost 2 million jobs in Europe are related to chlorine. The 83 chlorine manufacturing locations in 14 Western European countries employ 42,000 people.