GEF, others launch $12m project to stop mercury use in Mexico’s chlor-alkali industry

Government officials, industry managers, technical experts and UN officers met in Monterrey to kick off a project to stop mercury-based chlor-alkali production and clean up contaminated factories.

Mexico has been making significant efforts to stop the industrial use of mercury in line with its obligations under the Minamata Convention. CYDSA, a Mexican chemical conglomerate, replaced the chlorine and caustic soda plant in Monterrey with a state-of-art mercury-free plant from 2013 to 2016. To convert the last remaining mercury-cell plant in Coatzacoalcos, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved a 12 million dollar project.

The UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Government of Mexico and the Mexican chemical industry are working together under this project, offering 125 million dollars in co-financing to support the mercury-cell plant’s conversion, clean the site, stabilize the excess mercury and safely dispose of mercury waste.

The inception workshop was held in Monterrey, Mexico on 19 November, followed by a site visit to the decommissioned chlor-alkali plant slated for cleanup under this project, as well as to the new mercury-free plant.

“This project is not only a huge step for phasing out the industrial use of mercury in Mexico, but also will be a model case for Parties facing the same challenges, and a good incentive for non-Parties to join the Minamata Convention”, stated Eisaku Toda, Senior Programme Management Officer of the Secretariat of the Minamata Convention, at the project steering committee meeting held after the workshop.