Oxygen Depolarized Cathode Technology
Sustainable Chlorine Production: A Game-Changing Innovation
Most chemical products rely on chlorine and caustic soda in their production processes. Producing chlorine and caustic soda through electrolysis requires significant amounts of energy – presenting a key challenge for the industry.
Breakthrough Technology: Oxygen Depolarized Cathode
Together with our partner thyssenkrupp nucera AG & Co. KGaA, we developed a groundbreaking electrolysis process that produces chlorine in a more sustainable manner: oxygen depolarized cathode (ODC) technology. The innovative cathode we developed and manufacture in-house replaces traditional hydrogen-producing electrodes in the electrolysis process, drawing on years of proven experience at our plant in Krefeld-Uerdingen, Germany.
Compared to conventional chlorine electrolysis processes, ODC technology reduces energy consumption by up to 25%. As a major part of the electricity generation required for electrolysis technologies is still based on fossil fuels, these energy savings result in a reduction of greenhouse gases. For their boundary-pushing work, the developers of this ODC technology were awarded the Covestro Science Medal.
Large-Scale Implementation in Tarragona
Our new chlor-alkali plant at Tarragona in Spain is the first industrial-scale plant based solely on this technology. The plant ensures an efficient, sustainable, and independent supply of chlorine to the site’s isocyanate (MDI: methylene diphenyl diisocyanate) production. It also produces caustic soda as a valuable by-product.
Competitive Advantages Through Sustainability
The use of ODC technology not only reduces the plant’s environmental footprint but also improves cost-effectiveness. With energy being the largest cost component in chlorine production, this efficiency improvement significantly strengthens the site's competitive position.
Future Potential with Renewable Energy
When integrated with renewable electricity sources, ODC technology can directly achieve an even lower carbon footprint and would require less green power capacity than conventional chlor-alkali electrolysis.
