Flemish environment minister Jo Brouns has granted an environmental permit for the steam cracker of chemical company BASF Antwerp, one of the largest industrial units in Belgium. In doing so, Brouns has rejected the appeal lodged by environmental associations Bond Beter Leefmilieu and Dryade against the permit granted by the province of Antwerp last summer.
The licence for the steam cracker, a crucial facility of the BASF site in Antwerp, is due to expire shortly. Last year, the chemical giant was granted a new licence for the steam cracker.
The plant heats oil derivatives such as naphtha, thus producing chemical building blocks such as ethylene and propylene. These are then used for plastics, detergents, insulation and other products, for example. Large quantities of nitrogen and CO2 are released during production.
According to environmental associations, the steam cracker would still emit 723 tonnes of nitrogen after the new licence was granted. Moreover, this nitrogen could settle on nature reserves such as the Kalmthoutse Heide and the Brabantse Wal. The associations therefore appealed against the licence, which was granted by the province of Antwerp.
However, the competent Flemish minister, Jo Brouns, has now ruled that the appeal is unfounded. According to the minister, the permit imposes a further improvement of its environmental impact within what is feasible with the current technology. “The emission levels and impact comply with the applicable standards and, in terms of nitrogen emissions, the installation is one of the least polluting steam crackers in Europe,” he stated.
The minister is granting a new environmental permit for an indefinite period, but with certain conditions regarding emission reduction. Among other things, BASF is obliged to install DeNOx catalysts on some cracking ovens and steam boilers (these are catalysts that break down harmful nitrogen, ed.). This could reduce nitrogen emissions by approximately 30 per cent.
“With this decision, we are providing clarity on an important and complex issue for the chemical cluster in the port of Antwerp,” added Brouns. “The permit gives BASF Antwerp the necessary legal certainty to continue its activities, but explicitly links this to enforceable conditions for the future.”
#FlandersNewsService | BASF company site at the Antwerp Port © PHOTO BELGIAN_FREELANCE
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