Vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) is primarily used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride (PVC), one of the most widely produced plastic polymers in the world. VCM production results in a chlorinated byproduct that is not easily managed.
Traditionally, this byproduct has been incinerated, a method that, while effective, produces hydrochloric acid and air emissions. To neutralize the acid before it reaches the wastewater treatment system, the plant must use additional chemicals like sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and limestone, increasing both costs and resource consumption.
Recognizing the potential for reuse, Occidental Chemical Corporation developed a novel approach: recovering chlorine (Cl₂) from the VCM byproduct produced at its LaPorte, Texas, facility and reusing it as a raw material feedstock at other OxyChem sites. This process not only reduces waste but also significantly reduces environmental impact by lowering incinerator air emissions.
The benefits of this initiative are substantial and include:
- Diverting over 10 million pounds of waste from incineration
- Recovering and reusing 29 million pounds of chlorine byproduct
- Reducing Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) air emissions by 2 million pounds
- Lowering the carbon footprint of the LaPorte facility by 14,800 metric tons CO₂e
By rethinking waste and embracing circularity, OxyChem is working to not only improve its environmental performance, but also create long-term value for its operations and stakeholders by creating a circular reuse process that helps minimize waste and improve air quality.
By developing and implementing this initiative, OxyChem has been able to build partnerships with external stakeholders. For example, the company has collaborated with its waste management vendor, as well as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Texas Department of Environmental Quality to review the initiative to share best practices and promote more sustainable waste management solutions. OxyChem has also replicated this circularity reuse initiative across multiple OxyChem sites in Texas and Louisiana.
