Integrated and cost-effective solutions for pollution prevention
Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) is an EU Directive that approximately 50,000 installations have to comply with by October 2007. IPPC requires an integrated approach to the environmental protection of air, water and land, through the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) and establishing operating conditions within a ‘Permit’ based system. The Directive’s aim is to reduce a company’s overall impact on the environment. It demands a company to reassess its environmental performance and calls for the prevention, and where that is not possible, minimisation of polluting emissions to all environmental media.
At Ciba we have had the opportunity to experience the IPPC application procedure first hand. Many of the Ciba sites are required to comply with the Directive and we have also helped a number of sites within various industrial sectors comply with IPPC. We believe that by sharing our experiences and knowledge we can advise operators on how to manage the process smoothly and comply with the requirements effectively. We can support you with applications to the Authorities for IPPC permits and also with the ongoing assessments and technical solutions required.
However IPPC is not just legislation that companies need to comply with, it is a concept and a process that we at Ciba have been using successfully for many years. IPPC is a concept which has many benefits, and most importantly, its implementation can be used as a basis for continued sustainable production. Brochure: Pollution Prevention and Sustainable Production
Conventional pollution control is focusing mainly on the treatment of residues (End-of-pipe treatment). This is a costly and environmentally not very efficient way to control pollution.
Ciba EHS-Services prefer a different approach. We believe that efficient solutions in pollution control are always combinations of source control and end-of-pipe treatment. Decades of practical experience at Ciba Specialty Chemicals (and the former Ciba-Geigy) have proven this.
Source control is the most efficient measure. Optimizing production processes not only reduces waste loads and therefore disposal costs - it may lead to better yield, better product quality, more capacity and so finally to increased profit and sustainable production processes.
End-of-pipe treatment is often necessary to comply with strict legal requirements. Even if source control has been applied efficiently, remaining waste streams may need further treatment either for safe disposal (solid wastes) or to reach legal limits for waste water and off gases.
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