Environment is one of the most important factors influencing human social development, ecological safety and reliable state development perspectives.
One of the most important objectives of AB "Achema" is organizing its activity in the direction of improving the state of surrounding environment and implementing pollution prevention measures to reduce negative impact on environment.
AB "Achema" is continuously improving the environmental situation by implementing modern emission prevention techniques protecting human health and reducing negative impact on nature.
Ecological situation reliability and control are principal Company's objectives in environmental protection.
AB "Achema" vision is clean environment for all of us and for future generations.
In 2000 Company implemented Environmental management system in accordance with the requirements of ISO 14001.
ECOLOGICAL STATE
AB "Achema" actively participates in solving urgent ecological problems of today. Company's mission is continuous improvement of its activities impact towards the environment, by applying the best available techniques (BAT) recommended by the European Fertilizer Manufacturers Association (EFMA).
Our company pays lots of attention to improve environmental protection, wich requires substantial investments: main installation modernizing, production technology modification and improvement, purification equipment reconstruction. Therefore, current pollution level decreased significantly in comparison to the level 10 - 20 years ago.
AB "Achema" is a full member of EFMA from 2003; therefore Company's production techniques comply with EFMA requirements and are constantly developed and improved. According to EFMA assessment, AB "Achema" is among TOP 10 EU companies having the best results in the amount of emissions per manufactured product unit. The chart below indicates the effectiveness of AB "Achema" environmental protection policy.
AB "Achema" pollution levels in comparison with EFMA requirements, kg/t of production
Air quality
In 2009 AB "Achema" atmospheric emissions amounted 2.3 thousand tons, this corresponds to 24 % of regulated pollution.
Structure of main emissions in 2009
Air quality control is performed once a week. Sanitary-protected zone for sample collection is chosen depending on wind direction. Samples are gathered before and against the wind.
Water quality
Water quality control is implemented according to monitoring program approved by local environmental protection department (Kauno RAAD) and Lithuanian Environmental Protection Agency.
Surface water quality control (river Neris) is performed once a month, water samples are collected 500 m upstream and downstream from pollution source. Monitoring results are presented in the table below:
|
|
pH |
Sinking particles |
Bichromatic oxidation |
Biochemical oxygen consumption |
Total N |
Chlorides |
Sulphates |
Total P |
Oil products |
|
|
- |
mg/l |
mgO2/l |
mgO2/l |
mgN/l |
mg/l |
mg/l |
mgP/l |
mg/l |
|
500m upstream |
8.35 |
16.84 |
33.11 |
4.0 |
1.37 |
13.11 |
17.67 |
0.08 |
0.37 |
|
500 m downstream |
8.36 |
16.62 |
35.11 |
4.1 |
1.52 |
13.56 |
18.78 |
0.08 |
0.43 |
Greenhouse gas emission prevention
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UN FCCC) and Kyoto Protocol pursue to stabilize and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions (carbon dioxide, nitrogen suboxide, etc.) from energy, transport, waste and other industries, forest and agricultural sectors.
According to Kyoto Protocol provided mechanisms (Joint Implementation, Emission Trading System) AB "Achema" implements its responsibilities to reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen suboxide atmospheric emissions (http://www.laaif.lt/).
On June 5, 2009 Ministry of Environment of Lithuania and AB "Achema" signed a historical agreement concerning investments in environmental protection. According to the agreement, signed by minister of Environment Gediminas Kazlauskas and Acting General Director of AB "Achema" Juozas Tunaitis, AB "Achema" will invest in the environmental initiatives all the proceeds from the auctioning of Emission Reduction Units generated by the Joint Implementation project carried out in compliance with the commitments under Kyoto protocol.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACHIEVEMENTS
Every year AB "Achema" takes active part in the contest "Environmental Protection Achievements" organized by Lithuanian Ministry of Environment, Engineering Ecology Association, Environment Management and Audit Institute and Confederation of Lithuanian Industrialists. Company's nominations:
Best environmental protection (integrated quality and environmental protection) management system:
2001 - for clear, measurable and efficient environmental protection policy.
Most environment-friendly process (manufacture):
2001 - for new coagulant BAST (base aluminium sulphate solution).
2004 - for effective natural resource consumption (nitric acid units No 1-6 renovation by implementing new waste gas cleaning technology).
2005 - for effective natural resource consumption (application of base condensate from ammonium nitrate production process for nitric acid production).
Most environment-friendly product:
2007 - for effective resource consumption and environmental impact reduction within whole product life cycle ("AdBlue", 32.5 % urea solution for nitrogen oxide emission reduction in diesel engine exhauste systems with SCR cleaning systems).
2008 - for contemporary product (nitrogen fertilizer with natural minerals), regarding environmental issues.
March 19, 2009 - at the National Responsible Business Awards ceremony organized by Lithuanian Academy of Sciences, among the main Lithuanian industry companies, AB "Achema" was acknowledged Environmental Company of the Year. With this award were recognized AB "Achema" efforts to reduce impact on environment, constant attention to energy saving, responsible attitude towards business environment.
