to the Third Edition Following the success of the first two editions of this book in which the core subject matter has been retained, we have taken the opportunity to add substantial new material, including an additional chapter on that most important activity of the chemical industry, research and development. Topical items such as quality, safety and environmental issues also receive enhanced coverage. The team of authors for this edition comprises both those revising and updating their chapters and some new ones. The latter's different approach to the subject matter is reflected in the new titles: Organisational Structures - A Story of Evolution (chapter 5) and Environmental Impact of the Chemical Industry (chapter 9). The chapter on Energy retains its original title but different approach of the new authors is evident. We have updated statistics and tables wherever possible and expanded the index. We hope readers find the brief 'pen pictures' of authors to be interesting. It is worth stressing again that this book is designed to be used with its companion volume - The Chemical Industry, 2nd Edition, ed. Alan Heaton (referred to as Volume 2) - for a complete introduction to the chemical industry. Thanks are due to all contributors and to my wife Joy for typing my contributions.

In this introduction to each of the major sectors of the chemical industry the authors cover the important chemistry, products, processes and relevant statistics. Each contributor draws on his/her extensive industrial experience to give a balanced coverage which is both easy to read and authoritative. New chapters on quality and safety issues, environmental issues and an extended chapter on chlor-alkali, sulphur and nitrogen industries, reflect the importance of these subjects today.

This introduction to industrial chemistry provides an overview of what industrial chemistry does, showing the most important aspects. It examines chlor-alkali products, covering a major sector of the inorganic chemicals industry.

The importance of industrial chemistry Chemistry is a challenging and interesting subject for academic study. Its principles and ideas are used to produce the chemicals from which all manner of materials and eventually consumer products are manufactured. The diversity of examples is enormous, ranging from cement to iron and steel, and on to modern plastics which are so widely used in the packaging of consumer goods and in the manufacture of household items. Indeed life as we know it today could not exist without the chemical industry. Its contribution to the saving of lives and relief of suffering is immeasurable; synthetic drugs such as those which lower blood pressure (e. g. /3-blockers), attack bacterial and viral infections (e. g. antibiotics such as the penicillins and cephalosporins) and replace vital natural chemicals which the body is not producing due to some malfunction (e. g. insulin, some vitamins), are particularly noteworthy in this respect. Effect chemicals also clearly make an impact on our everyday lives. Two examples are the use of polytetrafluoroethylene (polytetrafluoroethene Teflon or Fluon) to provide a non-stick surface coating for cooking utensils, and silicones which are used to ease the discharge of bread from baking tins. It should also be noted that the chemical industry's activities have an influence on all other industries, either in terms of providing raw materials or chemicals for quality control analyses and to improve operation, and to treat boiler water, cooling water and effiuents.