It works like this: Akzo Nobel produces and supplies chlorine via pipes to Resolution and Huntsman. Resolution uses it for making epoxy resins. Huntsman produces polyurethane, which is applied, for instance, in foam for furniture and car seats. During the production processes at both Resolution and Huntsman, the chlorine is converted into hydrochloric acid gas, which is a waste product for these companies. But not for Shin-Etsu. This company uses hydrochloric acid gas and ethylene to produce vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), the basic raw material for PVC.
But recycling at the Botlek Industrial Park goes even further. The production process of vinyl chloride monomer leads to chlorinated waste materials. The chlorine recycling plant incinerates this waste into hydrochloric acid gas, which then again serves as a raw material in the VCM plant.