Although chlorine is not present in the finished polymer materials, both polyurethane and polyisocyanurate are synthesised from chlorinated compounds. These lightweight materials perform extremely well as insulators even at small thicknesses. Today, billions of euros a year are being wasted on maintaining the temperature of poorly-insulated buildings. Chlorine chemistry can help to address this problem … Continued

Common in school laboratories world-wide, hydrochloric (or muriatic) acid (chemical formula HCl) is a very simple molecule: it is simply one atom of hydrogen and one atom of chlorine that have exchanged one electron, thus forming an electrically charged bond. At room temperature the molecule is a gas, but once dissolved in water it is … Continued

PVC wallpaper, for example, can be created in any colour of the rainbow and any design imaginable. Even embossed finishes are possible. Long-lasting and easy to install, most PVC wallpapers are washable if they become dirty. Other PVC solutions for walls include panels which can also be applied to ceilings. PVC panels are ideal for … Continued

Infections spread easily in hospital environments due to the close proximity of a large number of patients and staff. It is not only patients that are at risk of catching an infection in hospital – for doctors and nurses it is an inherent occupational hazard. Nowadays infections caused by microbes such as MRSA or C. … Continued

And yes, this can be the case if your sports wheels are made of magnesium alloy. This strong, lightweight and relatively corrosion-free metal can be produced from the salt magnesium chloride (MgCl2) through a process similar to the chlorine production process: electrolysis. The magnesium chloride salt is found in high concentrations in the above-mentioned salt lakes and … Continued

This compound is often used in powder form to make paints less transparent and has a characteristic bright white colour. Titanium dioxide is very good at reflecting light so vibrantly coloured paints can be produced by adding small amounts of pigments. The vast array of paints and hues available today are thanks to the high … Continued

If you want to swim faster, you must reduce the drag of your body in the water. That is why competitive swimmers wear a sleek cap to reduce the drag from head hair. That’s also why they shave all their body hair. A few years ago, chemical science provided a helping hand with the invention of … Continued

You know light-emitting diodes or, like usually called, LEDs. They are often used in pocket lamps, home lighting systems and even car lights. They are now virtually everywhere in modern, energy-saving and long-lasting lighting systems. Inside the LED bulbs themselves we find quantum dots: these are semiconducting inorganic nanocrystals that emit light in very pure colours. But … Continued

Euro Chlor will be moving to an impressive tenth-floor office space, overlooking the Belgian capital, when Cefic moves to its new headquarters in January 2019. Rue Belliard is the main road of the EU Quarter and the new location will place Euro Chlor within walking distance of many major European institutions and key influencers. Euro … Continued

It is estimated that each year 10 billion tonnes of ballast water is taken up and released somewhere else in the world. This can result in adverse environmental and economic effects, which are being tackled with the help of chlorine chemistry. The issue arises from number of marine organisms that live in the water taken … Continued