Air
As a consequence of SABIC Europe’s processing operations, our plants release several chemicals into atmosphere.
Chemicals
The most important air pollutants relevant to our type of industry are:
- Nitrogen oxide (NOx)
- Fine dust (Particulate matter between 2.5 and 10 micrometers)
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
- Benzene
- Greenhouse gases (CO2, methane, and CFCs)
NOx, CO2, and many fine dust emissions originate from combustion processes – for example, within the naphtha crackers.
Because hydrocarbons are the first base material for all SABIC-installations, nearly all plants contribute to VOC emissions.
Benzene and methane originate mostly from naphtha crackers and logistic activities.
Downward trends
In recent years, SABIC Europe maintained its downward trend in air emissions. For example, the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) decreased by 9% in 2005 as a result of improved furnace performance and better fugitive emissions from our naphtha crackers.
Nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions were also reduced by 9%, and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels came down by 5%. (This was due to a naphtha crackers maintenance stop and the introduction of a new method to determine NOx emissions.)
Generally speaking, emissions from point sources (chimneys, smokestacks, etc.) are tightly monitored and controlled. As point source emissions reduce, possible fugitive emissions (from gaskets, valves, etc.) come into greater focus for monitoring and prevention.
