An universal method is presented for the synthesis of a wide range of aromatic acids via the reaction of carbonylation of appropriate halides under very mild conditions in the presence of cobalt carbonyl-based catalysts. The basic principles of a flexible manufacturing process for the manufacture of practically important acids and their derivatives were developed. The proposed process was successfully used for the utilization of the ecotoxicants polychlorobiphenyls used as dielectrics with a very high heat resistance.