Support the Mercury Pollution Reduction Act
(H.R. 2190 / S. 1428)
Examples Prove Conversion in Less than 3 Years
PPG, West Virginia and Louisiana – Estimated 28 months
In late August, 1983, PPG announced it would upgrade both its Lake Charles, Louisiana and Natrium, West
Virginia chlor-alkali facilities. However, instead of upgrading these facilities from mercury-based technology,
the company modernized other, mercury-free portions of these plants with newer diaphragm technology (a
mercury-free process).i The cost of these upgrades was estimated at $100 million per factory. ii
Olin, Alabama – 34 months
In late March 1984, Olin Corp. announced its intent to upgrade its McIntosh, Alabama factory to membranecell technology from diaphragm-cell technology (both types are mercury-free). The conversion was expected
to be completed by the summer of 1986.iii
Olin, New York – 33 months
In early April 1985, Olin Corp. and DuPont announced they would build a new membrane-based chlor-alkali
factory.iv By mid-December 1987, Olin and DuPont announced they had completed building the new
mercury-free chlorine factory in Niagara Falls, NY.v The factory cost $150 million.vi
PPG, Quebec – 23 months
PPG announced in mid-June 1989 that it would convert its Beaucharnois, Quebec, mercury-based chloralkali facilityvii to membrane-cell technology. At the time, the conversion was expected to finish in December
1990 – or about 18 months after the announcement.viii However, the factory conversion was not completed
until May 1991 – or 23 months after the announcement.ix
Westlake Chemicals, Kentucky – 18 months
Westlake Chemicals purchased an operating chlor-alkali facility in Calvert City, Kentucky in August 1997.x In
July 2000, after three years of owning the factory, Westlake Chemicals announced the company’s decision
to upgrade the factory with mercury-free technology. At that time, Westlake Chemicals expected the
conversion to only take 18 months.xi By February 2002, the mercury-free chlor-alkali facility was already in
operationxii - close to Westlake original estimated 18 months for conversion. From the time Westlake
Chemicals purchased the Calvert City, Kentucky factory, to the time that the factory was operating using
mercury-free technology, approximately 54 months had passed.
PPG, Louisiana – 24 months
In early August 2005, PPG Industries announced it would convert its Lake Charles, Louisiana factory to
mercury-free technology.xiii PPG’s plant was converted by late July 2007, taking approximately 24 months to
complete the project.xiv
Olin (Pioneer), Louisiana – 31 months
In early January 2007, Pioneer announced its intent to convert its St. Gabriel, Louisiana factory to mercuryfree technology.xv However, later that year, Pioneer was purchased by the Olin Corporation, including the St.
Gabriel facility. Olin announced it had completed the conversion on August 26, 2009 or about 31 months
after Pioneer’s original announcement. Electrical outages and hurricanes have caused this timeframe to be
extended.xvi
ERCO Worldwide, Wisconsin – Estimated 28 months
In early August 2007, ERCO Worldwide announced its intent to convert its facility in Port Edwards,
Wisconsin. The mercury-free technology will be running by the third quarter, 2009.xvii
PR Newswire (1983, August 31). “To Financial.”
Dow Jones News Service (1984, January 5). "PPG Industries Interview."
iii
Dow Jones News Service (1984, March 30). “Olin Corp. to Upgrade Alabama Plant.”
iv
Dow Jones News Service (1985, April 1). "Olin Corp., Du Pont to Build $100 Million Chemical Plant."
v
Chemical & Engineering News (1987, December 9). "DuPont/Olin Chlor-Alkali Plant Completed."
vi
Chemical Engineering (1987, December 15). "Olin and DuPont Completes Construction of Chlor-Alkali
Plant at Niagara Falls."
vii
Informations Chimie Hebdo (1991, August 4). "ICI Introduces New Big Capacity Monopolar
Electrolytic Cells for the Chlorine/Soda Industry."
viii
Chemical Marketing Reporter (1989, June 14). "Chloralkali Slated by PPG Industries."
ix
Chemical Marketing Reporter (1991, May 16). "PPG Industries' $30m Modernisation Programme at
Beauharnois Chloralkali Plant Quebec IS Completed."
x
API EnCompass (1997, August 15). "BF Goodrich Completes Sale of Chlor-alkali and Olefins Business
to the Westlake Group."
xi
Walker, Joe (2000, October 12). "Governor Praises Expansion of Calverty City, Ky., Chemical Plant,"
Paducah Sun.
xii
Chemical Week (2002, February 6). "News Brief," Vol. 164, Issue 5.
xiii
Business Wire (2005, August 4). "PPG to Install Membrane Technology, Eliminate use of Mercury at
Lake Charles, La."
xiv
Chlor-Alkali Marketwire (2007, July 27). "Market Assessment," Vol. 20, Issue 29.
xv
Associated Press (2007, January 31). "St. Gabriel Chlorine Plant to Eliminate Mercury-Based
Technology."
xvi
Rupp, Joseph (2008, October 24). "Q3 2008 Olin Corporation Earnings Conference Call - Final," Voxant
FD (Fair Disclosure) Wire.
xvii
Superior Plus (2009, August 6). "Superior Plus Announces Second Quarter Results and Construction
Products Distribution Acquisition."
i
ii