Bromine Recycling in the Chemical Industry – An Example of Circular Economy

Abstract

This paper discusses the application of the circular economy concept and industrial ecology approach in the context of industrial chemical sites. A real-life case study about the use of bromine as reactant for chemical synthesis and its recycling by Syngenta in Monthey is described in detail. With a recovery yield of 97% it represents a well-established example of closed loop recycling, one aspect of the circular economy. The process leads to significant safety and environmental risk reduction and economic savings in the order of several million CHF per year.