Kuppelproduktion und Umweltpolitik: Eine Fallstudie zur Chlorchemie und zur Schwefels�ureindustrie

Abstract

Joint Production and Environmental Policy: A Case Study for the Chlorine and Sulphuric Acid Industry The chemical industry is a key sector of industrialised economy. Thus, environmental policy with a focus on the chemical industry is likely to affect the economy as a whole. In this article we show, that environmental regulation of the chemical industry has major consequences for other production sectors. Two major problem areas of the chemical industry are considered: the chlorine industry and the sulphur industry. While the chlorine industry can cope with environmental legislation by process and product innovation without a substantial impact on other sectors, this is not the case with the sulphur industry. The production of its key product, sulphuric acid, utilises joint products of other sectors as inputs. The chemical industry offers these sectors the possibility to dispose of their unwanted by‐products. Environmental policy, directed towards a reduction of sulphuric acid is likely to cause a waste disposal problem in sectors which manufacture sulphur or sulphur dioxide as by‐products. Solving environmental problems within the chemical industry therefore creates new problems in other sectors.