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. Every year DEKRA Certification is conducting external environmental audits.

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 Fertilizers Europe (EFMA) from 2003; therefore Company's production techniques comply with Fertilizers Europe requirements and are constantly developed and improved.

Air quality

During the year 2012 AB "Achema" atmosferic emissions amounted to 2,593 tons, production volumes of various products reached 5,490 thousand tons.

Structure of main emissions in 2012

Air quality control is performed once a week, according to environment monitoring programme. The monitoring programme is approved by Kaunas Region Environment Protection Department (Kauno RAAD) on 2011.02.07. Sanitary-protected zone for sample collection is chosen depending on wind direction.

Water quality

Water quality control is implemented according to AB "Achema" environment monitoring programme, approved by local environmental protection department (Kauno RAAD).

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 during 2010 are presented in the table below:

On October 26, 2010 Lithuanian Environment Protection Agency issued a Licence No. 1AT-244 to Achema Environment Protection Center's laboratory, allowing perform pollution tests from pollution sources and contamination measurements in elements of environment.

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/).

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.