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 |