Industrial Chemistry > 6. The Solvay process has been in use since the 1860s > Locating a Chemical Industry Which Uses The Solvay Process >
Use available evidence to determine the criteria used to locate a chemical industry using the Solvay process as an example
In locating a chemical industry, some criteria were considered such as:
- Location of raw materials
It is necessary that an industry should be in close proximity to the source of raw materials. This would help in reducing the transportation costs and time. The Solvay plant in New York, for example, is located near the deep brine springs and nearby limestone quarries to easily access brine and calcium carbonate, respectively.
- Disposal of wastes
A chemical industry should also be located in a place where waste disposal will not have significant impacts on humans or natural environment. In Adelaide, the Solvay plant is located on the outskirts of Adelaide where the major waste calcium chloride is dumped in designated landfill areas.
- Close proximity to markets
Another factor to consider is the distance of a chemical industry to their target market. If an industry is near enough to the marketplace, the transportation costs would be reduced resulting to a higher profit. The Solvay plant at Adelaide, for example, is located near the city and other urban areas which can sufficiently provide sodium carbonate to their market.
- Availability of a workforce at a suitable cost
This is a major factor to be considered since the main goal of a chemical industry is to gain profit from a relatively low input. A chemical industry needs workers that are readily available and knowledgeable in operating machines to yield good quality products. They should be paid for just suitable cost but can work efficiently.