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| Author: | Yarime, M. |
| Title: | Promoting green innovation or prolonging the existing technology |
| Journal: | Journal of industrial ecology
2007 : FALL, VOL. 11:4, p. 117-139 |
| Index terms: | chemical industry ecology R&D innovation technological change environmental policy regulations case studies Europe Japan |
| Language: | eng |
| Abstract: | A case study of the chlor-alkali industry in Western Europe and Japan is presented exploring the effects of environmental regulation on technological change. In Western Europe, standards were set for mercury (here as: m.) emissions from chlor-alkali plants. Research and development (R&D) efforts were directed to end-of-pipe technologies and process improvements for reducing m. emissions, rather than to clean technologies. New plants continued to be built relying on the m. process (here as: m-pcs). In Japan, the government introduced policies to withdraw gradually the existing m-pcs. The strict approach encouraged innovative companies to make R&D efforts on clean technologies, instead of end-of-pipe technologies for pollution abatement. After a regulatory schedule set, the remaining m.-based plants were converted directly to the most efficient ion-exchange membrane process. However, the technological transition was costly with investments wasted. |
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