--- title: "Chlor-Alkali Industry: 5 Major Chemicals" description: The chlor-alkali industry is responsible for producing five major chemicals, that are integral to a staggering amount of day-to-day life. image: https://blog.dixonvalve.com/hubfs/Blog/2020/Big-five-chlor-alkali-process/Sodium-hypochlorite-barrels-metal-pallets-storage-room.jpg --- [877.963.4966](tel:+1877.963.4966) [Log In](https://dixonvalve.com/en/user/login) [![US flag](https://blog.dixonvalve.com/hs-fs/hubfs/united-states-of-america-1.png?width=30&height=30&name=united-states-of-america-1.png) US | en](https://dixonvalve.com/en/region-and-language-selection?destination=/en/contact-us) - [Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) [![Home](https://blog.dixonvalve.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/DixonValve_November2021/images/logo_header_110_tan.svg "Home")](https://dixonvalve.com/en) [![Home](https://blog.dixonvalve.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/DixonValve_November2021/images/logo_header_mobile_110_tan.svg "Home")](https://dixonvalve.com/en) - [Products](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products) - [Products](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products) - [Product Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) - [Browse By Category](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/categories) - [Browse By Market](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/markets) - [Request a Quote](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/interactive-tools/quote) - [Knowledge Center](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center) - [Knowledge Center](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/faq) - [References & Education](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/references-and-education) - [Interactive Tools](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/interactive-tools) - [Certifications](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/certifications) - [Glossary of Terms](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/glossary) - [News & Events](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events) - [News & Events](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events) - [Events](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events/events) - [News](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events/news) - [Blog](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events#blog-post) - [About Dixon](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon) - [About Dixon](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon) - [Dixon's History](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon/history) - [Divisions](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon/divisions) - [Careers](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon/careers) - [Contact Us](https://dixonvalve.com/en/contact-us) - [Careers](https://recruiting.ultipro.com/dvc1000/JobBoard/0242ab93-599e-ad02-de18-4ee7b0eb85e2/?q=&o=postedDateDesc) - [Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) - [Products](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products) - [Products](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products) - [Product Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) - [Browse By Category](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/categories) - [Browse By Market](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/markets) - [Request a Quote](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/interactive-tools/quote) - [Contact Us](https://dixonvalve.com/en/contact-us) - [Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) - [Knowledge Center](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center) - [Knowledge Center](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/faq) - [References & Education](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/references-and-education) - [Interactive Tools](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/interactive-tools) - [Certifications](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/certifications) - [Glossary of Terms](https://dixonvalve.com/en/knowledge-center/glossary) - [Contact Us](https://dixonvalve.com/en/contact-us) - [Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) - [News & Events](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events) - [News & Events](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events) - [Events](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events/events) - [News](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events/news) - [Blog](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events#blog-post) - [Contact Us](https://dixonvalve.com/en/contact-us) - [Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) - [About Dixon](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon) - [About Dixon](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon) - [Dixon's History](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon/history) - [Divisions](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon/divisions) - [Careers](https://dixonvalve.com/en/about-dixon/careers) - [Contact Us](https://dixonvalve.com/en/contact-us) - [Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) - [Contact Us](https://dixonvalve.com/en/contact-us) - [Careers](https://recruiting.ultipro.com/dvc1000/JobBoard/0242ab93-599e-ad02-de18-4ee7b0eb85e2/?q=&o=postedDateDesc) - [Search](https://dixonvalve.com/en/products/search) [Log in](https://dixonvalve.com/en/user/login) [Call Dixon](tel:+1877.963.4966) [Chat With Support](https://dixonvalve.com/en) [![US flag](https://dixonvalve.com/sites/default/files/2020-03/united-states-of-america.png) US | En Change Region](https://dixonvalve.com/en/region-and-language-selection) 1. [Home](https://dixonvalve.com/) 2. [News & Events](https://dixonvalve.com/en/news-and-events/) 3. [Blog](https://blog.dixonvalve.com) ### Chlor-Alkali Industry: 5 Major Chemicals ###### November 25, 2020 ![Post Image](https://blog.dixonvalve.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/2020/Big-five-chlor-alkali-process/Sodium-hypochlorite-barrels-metal-pallets-storage-room.jpg?width=480&height=321&name=Sodium-hypochlorite-barrels-metal-pallets-storage-room.jpg) [mailto:?subject=https://blog.dixonvalve.com/chlor-alkali-industry-5-major-chemicals](mailto:?subject=https://blog.dixonvalve.com/chlor-alkali-industry-5-major-chemicals) The chlor-alkali industry is responsible for producing five major chemicals: 1. Chlorine 2. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide 3. Sodium hypochlorite 4. Vinyl chloride monomer 5. Hydrogen chloride Each of these products is included in the chloralkali market, with all five chemicals used in various applications across the country. ## 1. Chlorine Chlorine, arguably the most readily known of the five, is best celebrated for keeping pools sanitary and healthy. More importantly, it is also used to clean 98% of drinking water in the United States. ## 2. Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide Sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide can be used interchangeably. The bulk of these chemicals are used to manufacture a wide range of items including detergent, aluminum products, and paper. Food-grade sodium hydroxide is used on German pretzels to give them a unique, crisp crust. ## 3. Sodium hypochlorite Sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as bleach, can be found under bathroom sinks around the world. Before being made available for purchase, sodium hypochlorite is diluted in a liquid solution, resulting in the pungent household cleaner found in a bottle of bleach. ## 4. Vinyl Chloride Monomer Vinyl chloride, or sometimes vinyl chloride monomer, is not a final product. On its own, it is an unstable and hazardous material that would pose a serious health risk. Instead, it is converted from a vinyl chloride monomer to a vinyl chloride polymer, or polyvinyl chloride, more commonly known as PVC. PVC plastic is the third-most produced synthetic plastic, with roughly 40 million tons made every year. ## 5. Hydrogen chloride Hydrogen chloride is made when hydrogen is combined with the pure chlorine gas that is produced during the chlor-alkali process—a feat achieved when completing the reaction in the presence of a UV light. Most hydrogen chloride is used in the production of hydrochloric acid, an inorganic compound used in industrial processes. Combined, these five chemicals are integral to a staggering amount of day-to-day life. Through the chlor-alkali process, we are provided with clean drinking water, paper, laundry detergent, bleach, PVC plastics, and various other products. With all this at stake, it’s easy to see why the chloralkali market is one to watch. *This blog post was excerpted from the [Chlor-Alkali: State of the Market 2020 whitepaper](https://www.dixonvalve.com/sites/default/files/Chlor-Alkali-State-of-the-Market-2020_0.pdf). * If you’d like to speak with a specialist about your application or questions, [![contact a specialist today.](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3021879/f6ce113d-14f3-4dd6-8e39-571052669ebb.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3021879/f6ce113d-14f3-4dd6-8e39-571052669ebb) ![chlor-alkali-infographic](https://blog.dixonvalve.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog/2020/Big-five-chlor-alkali-process/chlor-alkali-infographic.png?width=800&name=chlor-alkali-infographic.png) Sources: 1. [https://www.360marketupdates.com/global-chlor-alkali-market-13061339](https://www.360marketupdates.com/global-chlor-alkali-market-13061339) 2. [https://chlorine.americanchemistry.com/C2-Econ-Benefits/](https://chlorine.americanchemistry.com/C2-Econ-Benefits/) 3. [https://www.eurochlor.org/topics/energy/](https://www.eurochlor.org/topics/energy/) 4. [https://chlorine.americanchemistry.com/C2-Econ-Benefits/](https://chlorine.americanchemistry.com/C2-Econ-Benefits/) 5. [https://www.marketreportsworld.com/global-chlor-alkali-market-14406268](https://www.marketreportsworld.com/global-chlor-alkali-market-14406268) 6. [https://www.eurochlor.org/about-us/](https://www.eurochlor.org/about-us/) 7. [https://www.chlorineinstitute.org/about-us/](https://www.chlorineinstitute.org/about-us/) 8. [https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/news/55526/study-nonpetroleumhazardous-liquids-transported-pipeline-july-13-2015.pdf](https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/docs/news/55526/study-nonpetroleumhazardous-liquids-transported-pipeline-july-13-2015.pdf) 9. [https://www.chlorineinstitute.org/transportation/incident-statistics/](https://www.chlorineinstitute.org/transportation/incident-statistics/) 10. [https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/mr20190214.aspx](https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/mr20190214.aspx) 11. [https://thebossmagazine.com/performance-plastics-material-concern/](https://thebossmagazine.com/performance-plastics-material-concern/) 12. [http://theconversation.com/the-world-of-plastics-in-numbers-100291](http://theconversation.com/the-world-of-plastics-in-numbers-100291) 13. [https://thebossmagazine.com/petrochemicals-oil-industry/](https://thebossmagazine.com/petrochemicals-oil-industry/) 14. [https://www.environmentalintegrity.org/news/31-new-or-expanded-petrochemical-plants/](https://www.environmentalintegrity.org/news/31-new-or-expanded-petrochemical-plants/) 15. [https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-pvc-market-to-reach-value-of-49-5-billion-by-2023--says-beroe-inc-300942932.html](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-pvc-market-to-reach-value-of-49-5-billion-by-2023--says-beroe-inc-300942932.html) ## Connect With Dixon - - - - [Subscribe To Our Newsletter](https://dixonvalve.com/subscribe) - [Careers](https://recruiting.ultipro.com/dvc1000/JobBoard/0242ab93-599e-ad02-de18-4ee7b0eb85e2/?q=&o=postedDateDesc) - [Cookie Policy](https://dixonvalve.com/en/cookie-policy) - [Do Not Sell Or Share My Personal Information](https://dixonvalve.com/en/do-not-sell-my-information) - [Legal](https://dixonvalve.com/en/legal) - [Privacy](https://dixonvalve.com/en/privacy) - [Sitemap](https://dixonvalve.com/en/sitemap) [![Home](https://blog.dixonvalve.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/DixonValve_November2021/images/logo_footer_110_blue.svg "Home")](https://dixonvalve.com/en) Copyright © Dixon Valve & Coupling Company, LLC 2021-2026 1 Dixon Square, Chestertown, MD 21620, US