Printable PDF - Tessenderlo Group

‘Improving productivity and cutting production costs are still the key factors for
success, especially against an international backdrop involving new, formidable
competitors, such as China. The division constantly focused on meeting this
challenge in the past year. If we continue our efforts, I firmly believe that
Tessenderlo Group will, in the long run, be able to further strengthen its
position.’
Inorganic Chemicals
2003 2002
Turnover 534 611
(millions EUR)
Ebitda 39 71
(millions EUR)
Tangible investments 18 20
(millions EUR)
Headcount 1,816 2,005
Activities and products of the electrolysis unit
Turnover
(millions EUR)
94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03
The Tessenderlo Group’s electrolysis units produce 300,000 tonnes of chlorine annually. Most of this is used
internally for the production of monovinyl chloride (VCM), which is the precursor of polyvinyl chloride (PVC),
and for the chlorination of toluene and benzene.
The chlorine production also generates around 100,000 tonnes of caustic potash and more than 235,000
tonnes of caustic soda annually. Caustic potash is mainly used in the production of potassium nitrate and
potassium phosphates, followed by applications for food and fertilisers, alkali batteries, de-icing products for
airport runways, detergents and the chemical industry.
Caustic soda is used in water purification and the manufacture of soap and detergents. It is also used in the
chemicals sector and in the aluminium and paper industries.
These basic products of the electrolysis units moreover have various derivatives with a wide range of applications,
from photography and the food sector to water treatment and ore extraction.
Alongside the classic electrolysis products, ferric chloride and aluminium chloride are also prepared on the
basis of chlorine, both indispensable in the rapidly expanding water treatment sector.
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