Environmental Technologies and Eco-innovation in the Czech ...

Spolek pro chemickou a hutní
výrobu, a.s., based in Ústí nad Labem
(Spolchemie) implemented a unique
technology developed by its own
specialists. The technology consists
of epichlorhydrine production from
a renewable raw material resource (one
of the by-products of biofuel production
– glycerine). Spolchemie began trial
operation of a new production unit at
the beginning of 2007. After two years
of operation, all the production line’s
design parameters have been fulfilled.
The technology is protected by a patent
in which many international producers
are very interested. A unit based on
Spolchemie’s know-how is about to be
constructed abroad.
7.4 | Chemical products safe for streams
All products that could cause water pollution are tested for biodegradability and
toxicity for water organisms. Chemical substances that are not biodegradable or are
toxic for water organisms cannot be contained in such products.
In larger towns and villages, detergents are lead into waste water treatment plants
to be biologically treated. However, in smaller villages, they are often discharged
directly into streams (through septic tanks or home treatment plants that might not
fully treat the water). Therefore, there is an obligation in the Czech Republic that all
detergent ingredients shall be tested for biodegradability.
Water contains calcium and magnesium salts that affect the washing process and
cause water hardness. Therefore, detergents shall contain ingredients that lead to
water softening. To suppress the effect of calcium and magnesium salts, phosphorus
compounds were formerly added to detergents. However, higher amounts of phosphates
cause water eutrophication, which is a process of enriching water with nutrients,
especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Excessive amounts of nutrients support the
growth of phytoplankton, which can cause problems for some people who swim in water
with higher phytoplankton concentrations. Water bloom further aggravates treating
both potable and industrial water and may cause oxygen reduction in water and the
subsequent death of organisms (fish, mussels). Therefore, phosphates are now being
replaced in detergents by molecular sieves 9 (zeolites). These are substances that
9 molecular sieves – crystalline microporous materials able to bind calcium and magnesium salts