On November 14, in Poland, we celebrate Clean Air Day in Poland, while The United Nations has designated September 7 as the International Clean Air Day for Blue Skies. The problem of air pollution is global, and it is gaining importance in the collision with the coronavirus pandemic. A strategic alliance is needed like never before.
What were the goals of the United Nations in establishing the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies (1)? First, raising public awareness at all levels – individual, social, corporate and governmental – that clean air is important to health, productivity, economy and the environment. But also demonstrating the close link between air quality and other environmental and development challenges, such as – above all – climate change and global sustainable development goals. All this is to create a strategic alliance by sharing knowledge, innovation and best practices, to gain momentum for coordinated national, regional and international approaches to effective air quality management.
And how does care for clean air look in the Grupa Kapitałowa GRUPA KĘTY S.A.
For many years, Grupa Kęty has been maintaining a system compliant with the ISO 14001 standard, constituting a platform for continuous improvement and increasing ecological efficiency. The Company’s environmental policy is focused on clean production, understood as striving to reduce the consumption of resources, reduce emissions and effectively prevent breakdowns. The implementation of these goals is supported by the tasks undertaken within the framework of the Environmental Program approved annually. We operate in accordance with the principle of sustainable development, respecting the environmental conditions defined by law and in line with the principles of corporate social responsibility. All activities are carried out professionally, paying attention to the current and future environmental impacts. We are aware that we have a direct and indirect impact on the natural environment, therefore we conduct our activities in such a way that this impact is as limited as possible.
All installations operated by the companies have environmental permits required by law. Changes in the legal environment are monitored on an ongoing basis, the related risks are identified and the directions for further actions are defined. Taking action in the CG companies before the entry into force of specific legal provisions is proof of awareness of the importance of the regulated issues.
When analyzing the environmental impact of the companies of the Capital Group, we pay special attention to the emission of gases and dust into the atmosphere, in particular carbon dioxide. Air emissions are a source of direct environmental impact. The total level of greenhouse gas emissions is low due to the nature of the processes and the thermal power of the devices used. The companies of the Capital Group have not been included in the EU emission allowance trading system. Greenhouse gases emitted from EPS installations are CO2 and HFC. Carbon dioxide emitted in the Extruded Products Segment comes from the combustion of natural gas in heaters and technological furnaces for heat treatment of aluminum. CO2 emissions in the Aluminum Systems Segment result from the combustion of natural gas in technological furnaces for heat treatment and polymerization, as well as in radiators and heating boilers. Emissions in the Flexible Packaging Segment come from the combustion of natural gas in boilers, heaters and thermal afterburners to reduce VOC.
Apart from carbon dioxide, the EPS emits sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, dust and small amounts of inorganic compounds into the air. The source of emissions is mainly the combustion of natural gas.
The main pollutants emitted by ASS include: sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and dust. The source of the emission is the combustion of natural gas. FPS companies emit mainly VOCs and ozone into the air. The sources of emissions are packaging printing and lamination processes with the use of volatile organic compounds and ozone, as well as natural gas combustion processes in boilers and thermal afterburners.
The companies of the Capital Group perform periodic measurements of emissions from the installation as part of the impact control. Measurements made as part of the monitoring carried out show that the standards specified in the permits are met. The level of the total issue of the companies of the Capital Group is definitely lower than the permissible values
Optimization of the aluminum smelting process in EPS made it possible to increase the share of secondary raw materials in the final production. Currently, Grupa Kęty manages nearly 100% of aluminum waste produced in the plant in Kęty and its domestic subsidiaries. Waste is used as a component for the production of new products. At the same time, the company obtains aluminum waste from end users czyszczenia powietrza o 95% oraz wody o 97%.
