Inorganic Chemical Industry (NACE codes: C 20.13)

General information about the sector

The EU chemical industry, is a dynamic sector of the European economy, as it has an average growth rate of about 50 % higher than that of the EU economy and has also a growth rate about 75 % higher than the average of the total EU industry (According to CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council), The European chemical industry in a worldwide perspective - Facts and Figures 2004).

The European chemical industry is second after China (along with United States) in total sales of chemicals with a percentage of 15.1%. By including both EU and non-EU countries in Europe, total sales reached billion 597€ in 2016. As shown in the figure below, Germany and France are the two largest chemicals producers in Europe, followed by Italy and the Netherlands (According to CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council), Chemical Industry Profile, 2017).

 

Industrial Activity (NACE Code C20.13)

Section

Division

Group

Description

C

 

 

Manufacture

 

C20

 

Manufacture of chemicals and chemical products

 

 

C20.13

Manufacture of other inorganic basic chemicals

 

Wastewater from distillation. Soda ash production

Component

Quantity (kg/t soda ash)

Concentration

(kg/m3 post-distillation liquid)

Cl-

850-1100

99-115

OH-

9-30

1-2.7

SO42-

1-11

0.1-1.2

Ca2+

340-400

39-45

Na+

160-220

18-25

NH4+

0.3-2.0

0.03-0.24

CaCO3

30-110

3.8-11

SO4 as CaSO4

15-90

1.7-7.1

 

Effluent from brine purification (typical composition) (CEFIC-ESAPA, 2004). Soda ash production

Component

Concentration

(% w/w)

CaSO4 2H2O

0-8

Mg(OH)2

1-6

CaCO3

5-15

NaCl (Brine)

By difference

 

Turbidity

 

 

Table:  Magnesium Compounds Production, Emissions to water – mean concentrations and mean yearly load (the Netherlands) 

 

Mg2+

Ca2+

K+

Na+

Cl-

SO42-

B3+

Cr

Zn

Conc. mg/l

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.5

0.064

0.032

Load kg/yr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

213.5

105.5

Conc. g/l

0.33

21.11

0.54

2.21

41.99

0.37

 

 

 

Load tonne/yr

1099

70285

1785

7359

139807

1163

8.6

 

 

 

 

Brine effluent generated in iron and steel production

The following table summarizes the key parameters to consider the effluent characterization originated from chemical industry.

Key parameters for chemical industry wastewater characterization

Anions

Cations

SO4 2-

Ca2+

Cl-

Na+

OH-

K+

CO32-

Mg2+

Other parameters

NH4+

pH

Other elements

TDS

Cr

SS

Zn

 Conductivity

Al

COD

Fe

Turbidity

Si