Note 17: Local air quality

Air monitoring around our operations is focused on volatile organic compounds () and NOx and SOx emissions. We monitor particulates at site level as required.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

All our businesses will continue to manage VOC emissions from operations, in line with national or supranational (European Commission) legal requirements.

The reduction focus for our paints and coatings businesses concentrates on low/zero VOC product design, going beyond controlling VOC emissions from our operations. Reducing VOC emissions from our sites remains part of the scope of our OEE program, while our Research, Development and Innovation groups are working on projects to reduce the solvent content of our products – VOC in product (see Note 4 in this section).

Volatile organic compounds in kilotons

Environment – Volatile organic compounds (bar chart)Environment – Volatile organic compounds (bar chart)
  • VOC emissions per ton of production remained stable at 0.18 kg/ton. Total VOC emissions decreased 1 percent to 3.0 kilotons (2014: 3.1 kilotons)

NOx and SOx

NOx and SOx emissions may have a significant impact on local air quality because of their potential contribution to acidification.

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NOx and SOx emissions

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

In kilotons

  

2012

  

2013

  

2014

  

2015

Emissions may form acid rain that can lead to acidification. The gases are emissions from manufacturing and combustion of fuel that we burn. The total quantity of NOx/SOx emissions from manufacturing processes discharged directly to air (e.g. after any abatement process) and the quantity of NOx/SOx emissions calculated from the use of fuels.

NOx

  

1.9

  

1.3

  

1.3

  

1.7

NOx kg/ton

  

0.10

  

0.08

  

0.08

  

0.10

SOx

  

7.6

  

4.6

  

3.7

  

3.8

SOx kg/ton

  

0.41

  

0.26

  

0.22

  

0.22
  • The consolidation of the Delesto joint venture combined heat and power plant (CHP) into AkzoNobel resulted in an extra emission of 0.5 kilotons of NOx, although a low NOx burner was installed, reducing the emissions by 0.07 kilotons
  • Due to the consolidation of the Delesto joint venture, total emissions increased to 1.7 kilotons. NOx emissions per ton from our sites increased to 0.10 kg/ton of production
  • The start-up of the incinerator in Mons, Belgium, with a low NOx furnace resulted in a reduction of over 0.1 kilotons a year
  • SOx emissions (from process emissions and energy) were stable at 0.22 kg/ton of production. Absolute emissions were up 3 percent to 3.8 kilotons
  • Our three sulfur derivatives plants in Germany, the US and Argentina contributed 97 percent of the SOx emissions. Due to a product mix effect, we were not able to convert SO2 to a product, resulting in the increase

Ozone depleting substances

Emissions of ozone depleting substances are at a very low level, 0.6 tons (2014: 1.8 tons). They are mainly due to Freon22 from maintenance in older air conditioning and cooling units, which are replaced when appropriate.

VOC

Volatile organic compounds.

VOC

Volatile organic compounds.

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