Emissions to water and air
Emissions to water
In 2007, Umicore reduced its metal emissions to water from 7,549 kg to 4,858 kg, a decrease of 36% (figure 5). Including the zinc alloys business, total metal emissions to water amounted to 9,118 kg in 2006.
Significant improvements were made at the sites in Olen and Subic (Advanced Materials) due to improvements in the performance of their waste water treatment plants. At the plant in Hoboken (Belgium), a detailed analysis of the different sources of waste water from several production departments allowed a further reduction of metal emissions to water. The issue of higher metal emissions to water at the site in Guarulhos (Precious Metals Products and Catalysts) in 2006 was resolved (see also regulatory compliance).
In 2007 a total of 268,534 kg of “chemical oxygen demand” (COD) was discharged to surface waters compared to 224,268 kg in 2006. The increase is mainly due to higher volumes being treated at the site in Olen (Advanced Materials).
Emissions to air
In 2007, total metal emissions to air amounted to 14,532 kg, down from 18,431 kg the year before (figure 6). Including the zinc alloys activities, the 2006 figure was at 33,468 kg.
The decreased levels reported in the Advanced Materials section are primarily due to lower emissions at the plant in Fort Saskatchewan (Canada). In addition, the transfer of the Zinc Battery Materials activities to the Zinc Specialties business group further explains the decrease in metal emissions to air for the business group Advanced Materials.
On the other hand, the Hoboken site (Precious Metals Services) observed increased metal emissions to air, mainly due to the temporary higher emissions of arsenic from the lead blast furnace (see also regulatory compliance) and higher emissions of lead from the precious metal concentration and smelting operations. The site also included the gaseous metal fractions in its air monitoring sampling.
The sites in Angleur and Changsha (Zinc Specialties) show a decrease of metal emissions to air. The main reasons were a closer follow-up and a better control of process parameters.
The SOx emissions to air increased from 751 tonnes in 2006 to 810 tonnes in 2007. Including the zinc alloys activities, SOx emissions in 2006 amounted to 2,243 tonnes.
NOx emissions decreased slightly in 2007.
Emissions of “volatile organic compounds” (VOC) were added as an indicator to the Group’s environmental data collection and reporting system. However, due to a lack of consistency in the reported data, a global performance figure cannot be reported. The reporting of this indicator will be further refined during 2008. For comparison, the site in Hanau (Precious Metals Products and Catalysts) reported 183,870 kg compared to 146,872 kg in 2006 due to a higher activity of the catalyst testing centre.
Umicore started the collection of data on ozone depleting substances (ODS). However, as is the case for VOC, further efforts will be needed to refine the definition and the data reporting at site level.
Umicore on the way to sustainability