Emissions Further Reduced
In addition to the greenhouse gas CO², which mainly arises
during the combustion of fossil fuels, volatile organic compounds
(VOCs) also contribute to emissions. ALTANA aims to
continue keeping these emissions as low as possible in the
future. To achieve this goal, various technical options are available
at many sites. Further measures to reduce emissions
were implemented in the year under review.
ACTEGA installed new types of cover systems at its
North American site in Charlotte, which lead to better extraction
and thus fewer emissions. ECKART in Schererville
(U.S.) equipped a medium-sized stirred tank with a new condenser,
thus managing to collect VOCs and transfer them
to the normal waste or recycling stream. ELANTAS in Zhuhai
also worked intensively on VOC avoidance and successfully
completed a corresponding project on thermal afterburning.
In Pori, Finland, ECKART managed to prevent dust from
escaping by modifying the exhaust air system of a calci-
nation furnace. And BYK developed a new type of catalyst
based on layered silicates at its site in Widnes, UK. In addition
to improved performance in a catalytic reaction, this also
makes the product form more homogeneous and results
in less dust.
In addition to reducing the quantities of VOCs, ALTANA
also focuses on continuously improving noise emissions.
At its site in Vigo (Spain), for example, ACTEGA reduced the
noise level of its compressors. ELANTAS in Ascoli (Italy) was
able to cut both noise levels and other emissions by investing
in new solenoid-operated pumps and other equipment.
98 Environment
water at its Ascoli site by more than 10 % compared to
the previous year. ECKART completed a project in Hartenstein
which reduces the use of spring water by approximately
20,000 cubic meters per year. This measure will allow the
water used for cooling vacuum pumps to be deployed as
process water. At its Sedan site, ACTEGA conducted a study
which enables it to switch from a cooling tower to a cool-
ing system of alternative design. This will permit annual savings
of approximately 500 cubic meters of cooling water.
Optimization of Waste Management
Chemical processes generate waste and wastewater, which
mainly applies to production sites.
ALTANA aims to avoid or reduce wastewater and waste
and thus minimize the negative effects on people and the
environment, among other things by using suitable raw materials
and cleaning agents.
ALTANA’s divisions were able to reduce waste volumes
at numerous sites by means of recycling. At ECKART in
Painesville, for example, grinding media that could no longer
be used were recycled and approximately 13 tons of
waste avoided. The ECKART site in Louisville also succeeded
in processing waste streams containing metals so that
they can be recycled. Significant quantities of solvents were
conserved at several sites through the use of more efficient
cleaning agents and revised cleaning regulations. Examples
include the ACTEGA site in Sedan (France) and
ELANTAS Malaysia. At its U.S. site in Wallingford, the BYK
division was also able to significantly reduce solvent consumption
through process optimization. As a result, around
170 tons of waste are avoided annually. At the BYK site
in Kempen, the quantities of waste containing TDI were significantly
reduced. These examples show how ALTANA consistently
optimizes processes, also using its ALTANA Excellence
program.