CHLORINATED SOLVENTS

Trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene), and methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane) are the main solvents in this group. Due to their non-flammability, these compounds have been widely used for cleaning metals in the electronics industry and for dry cleaning of clothes. The use of 1,1,1-trichloroethane was phased out at the end of 1995 under the Montreal Protocol.

The chemical industry sponsors research on chlorinated solvents. It also participates actively in the preparation of guidelines for safe handling, working closely with its customers. The industry has also developed recycling schemes through which its customers can return spent solvent for recovery and re-use whilst final wastes are incinerated. The decline in consumption of virgin chlorinated solvents in recent years is due to a combination of increased use of recycled product, reduced emissions to the atmosphere and other conservation techniques. Euro Chlor has fully supported this process.