Albemarle Corporation has announced its support to recent efforts to reduce global man-made mercury emissions, established by the new Minamata Convention on Mercury.
The Minamata Convention was opened for signature in October 2013 at a Diplomatic Conference in Kumamoto/Minamata, Japan, in response to the need to develop a global, legally binding instrument to regulate man-made mercury emissions. The text of the new Minamata Convention requires facilities “to control, and where feasible, reduce” atmospheric mercury emissions from sources including coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators and cement clinker facilities. To date, 94 countries have signed the Minamata Convention, including the US, the majority of EU member states, the EU itself and China, with the US being the first and only country that has ratified it.
According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), mercury emissions from coal combustion are one of the largest contributors to man-made atmospheric mercury emissions globally. The new Convention is a significant step forward to tackle this worldwide challenge by applying appropriate technologies. Albemarle will continue to monitor the further ratification and implementation of the Convention's regulations and provide stakeholders and customers with expertise and technical solutions for mercury emissions control.
“As an experienced global solutions provider, Albemarle is ready to assist our various stakeholders in ensuring compliance and thus reducing global atmospheric emissions of mercury. Through our Mercury Control division, Albemarle offers a variety of efficient and cost-effective solutions to the coal-fired utility, cement kiln and industrial boiler markets, such as mercury sorbents, advanced injection systems, bromine chemicals, and mercury testing and demonstration services,” said the company in a press release.
The Minamata Convention was opened for signature in October 2013 at a Diplomatic Conference in Kumamoto/Minamata, Japan, in response to the need to develop a global, legally binding instrument to regulate man-made mercury emissions. The text of the new Minamata Convention requires facilities “to control, and where feasible, reduce” atmospheric mercury emissions from sources including coal-fired power plants, waste incinerators and cement clinker facilities. To date, 94 countries have signed the Minamata Convention, including the US, the majority of EU member states, the EU itself and China, with the US being the first and only country that has ratified it.
According to the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), mercury emissions from coal combustion are one of the largest contributors to man-made atmospheric mercury emissions globally. The new Convention is a significant step forward to tackle this worldwide challenge by applying appropriate technologies. Albemarle will continue to monitor the further ratification and implementation of the Convention's regulations and provide stakeholders and customers with expertise and technical solutions for mercury emissions control.
“As an experienced global solutions provider, Albemarle is ready to assist our various stakeholders in ensuring compliance and thus reducing global atmospheric emissions of mercury. Through our Mercury Control division, Albemarle offers a variety of efficient and cost-effective solutions to the coal-fired utility, cement kiln and industrial boiler markets, such as mercury sorbents, advanced injection systems, bromine chemicals, and mercury testing and demonstration services,” said the company in a press release.