Closed loop recycling of chlorine for sustainable development of polyurethane industry

Increasing demand is fueling the booming polyurethane industry worldwide. An impeding issue for polyurethane industry is how to handle the large quantity of hydrogen chloride byproduct generated from the synthesis of intermediates, i.e., isocyanates. In the meantime, the traditional chloro-alkaline process suffers both from the high energy intensity of electrolysis method and the disparity in the chlorine and caustic soda market. To solve these problems, the state-of-the-art chlorine recycling technologies are reviewed and compared. Approaches for cost-effective utilization of chlorine in polyurethane industry are investigated. Chinese academies and enterprises’ on-going effort on the development of a novel hydrogen chloride oxidation process for the synthesis of chlorine is presented. With this process, the closed loop recycling of chlorine can be realized. Tremendous economic, environmental and social benefits can be expected. A wide adoption of this technology will significantly advance the sustainable development of polyurethane industry.