Press Release: State aid: Commission endorses EUR18.5 million of aid to reduce mercury emissions in Italy

The European Commission on 16 March 2005 authorised, under EU state aid rules, subsidies to two chlorine producers in Italy to set up new plants allowing for mercury-free chlorine production. Solvay Rosignano was due to receive €13.5 million aid to promote a €48 million investment, and Altair Chimica was due to receive about €5 million for a planned €13.5 million investment. The companies planned to end production based on mercury technology and introduce so-called membrane technology for which no mercury is needed. The European Commission concluded that the aid was not likely to cause undue distortion of competition within the Single Market and was therefore compatible with EC Treaty state aid rules (Article 87).