ENVIRONMENT

Environmental measures are our priority. That is why at each stage of the production process we take care to maximise the use of production waste and reduce possible impact on the environment.

Considering the above, Re Alloys analyses environmental aspects and monitors influence on the environment. We declare that we observe the requirements imposed by law, environmental programmes and regulations; we also take measures in the field of environmental protection that go beyond the external requirements.   We constantly improve and introduce solutions which minimise our negative impact on the environment.

Ongoing actions for the environment
Re Alloys pursues a number of actions aiming directly at reduction of the plant’s influence on the environment. Ensuring an appropriate level of environmental protection requires maintaining many complicated and expensive installations, such as the water treatment plant or the dust removal plant with very high flue gas treatment efficiency. All those actions involve significant costs. In 2020 alone, expenses related to the operation of environmental protection installations amounted to nearly PLN 6 million. In years 2017-2021, Re Alloys was not punished with any penalty for failure to observe the environmental matters.

CLIMATE CHALLENGES

In the next years, the involvement in a low-emission economy will be the main challenge for the company. Not only will this allow avoiding adverse effect of the climate change but it will also be our contribution to the fight against the climate change. For full identification of factors which apply to us, we carry out ongoing analysis, what has been presented in the document Environmental aspects and environmental risk analysis. In response to the identified threats and opportunities, the Going Green Strategy  has been devised and it indicates the main directions for the organisation’s growth. Based on the strategy, ongoing preventive measures are being taken.

CLIMATE CHALLENGES

In the next years, the involvement in a low-emission economy will be the main challenge for the company. Not only will this allow avoiding adverse effect of the climate change but it will also be our contribution to the fight against the climate change. For full identification of factors which apply to us, we carry out ongoing analysis, what has been presented in the document Environmental aspects and environmental risk analysis. In response to the identified threats and opportunities, the Going Green Strategy  has been devised and it indicates the main directions for the organisation’s growth. Based on the strategy, ongoing preventive measures are being taken.

RELEASES
INTO THE ENVIRONMENT

The Plant’s operation is conducted upon the integrated permit issued by the Śląskie Province Governor. The permit ensures a high level of environmental protection with consideration of the BAT requirements specified in implementing decisions of the European Commission and Polish legislation. Below presented are the actual level of the Plant’s impact on the environment  in relation to the imposed limits.

Percentage of the indicator of actual air emission in relation to the limit imposed in the integrated permit

PM10

SO2

NO2

CO

2020

16.5 %

22.1 %

18.4 %

8.9 %

2021

11.8 %

23.8%

21.0 %

9.0%

The percentage of the real noise emission factor in 2021 against the limit specified in the integrated permit

Emission during the day

Emission during the night

84.7 %

96.1 %

Percentage of the indicator of actual emission to water  in relation to the limit imposed in the integrated permit

2020

2021

Temperature

39.8 %

27.7 %

Suspension

69.2 %

59.1 %

Hydrocarbons of petroleum origin

0.7 %

0.0 %

Cl-

17.5 %

33.1 %

SO4-2

26.5 %

44.4 %

BZT5

14.9 %

11.2 %

ChZT

23.3 %

23.3 %

Pog

23.3 %

18.3 %

Nog

15.9 %

22.7 %

Ni

1.1 %

2.0 %

Crog

0.0 %

4.4 %

CrVI

0.0 %

0.0 %

Zn

6.8 %

9.4 %

Cd

0.0 %

0.0 %

Cu

5.4 %

5.2 %

Pb

2.1 %

1.4 %

Hg

0.1 %

0.2 %

As

0.0 %

7.0 %

Feog

8.3 %

8.3 %

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

In our activities we aim at full compliance with the applicable law and other regulations and provisions regarding the environmental protection, as well as with the voluntarily adopted requirements of the ISO 14001 norm.  In the Environmental Policy  and in the Environmental Management System Manual we undertake to take continuous measures for minimising the negative impact on the environment and to apply the principle of constant improvement of the environmental management system and our environmental activity. The environmental management system used in our organisation is assessed by independent auditors, what is confirmed by the ISO 14001 Certificate.

GHG EMISSIONS

Affecting the natural environment by air emissions is an inherent aspect of our operation due to the nature of the production conducted. What is important for us is to minimise the impact. We undertake to take continuous measures for minimising the negative impact on the environment and to apply the principle of constant improvement of the environmental management system and our environmental activity. Moreover, environmental tax reaching PLN 1 million, imposed for the plant’s influence on the environment, is paid each year. The collected tax is appropriated for protective activities of public entities.

Furthermore, our direct and indirect GHG emissions are verified by an independent verifier.

Air emission volume

2020

2021

Direct GHG

t

223954

200785

Indirect GHG*

t

489308

502002

NOx

t

403

510

SO2

t

564

662

CO

t

270

318

Dust

t

92

73

Specyfika prowadzonej produkcji nierozerwalnie wiąże się oddziaływaniem na środowisko naturalne poprzez emisje do powietrza. Ważne dla nas jest dążenie do redukowania tego oddziaływania. Zobowiązujemy się do ciągłych działań mających na celu minimalizowanie negatywnego wpływu na środowisko i stosowania zasady ciągłego doskonalenia systemu zarządzania środowiskowego oraz działalności proekologicznej. Ponadto za oddziaływanie zakładu na środowisko każdego roku uiszczane są opłaty środowiskowe sięgające 1mln zł, z których finansowe są zadania ochronne jednostek publicznych.

Ponadto nasze emisje w zakresie GHG te bezpośrednie i pośrednie są weryfikowane przez niezależnego weryfikatora, a w ich obliczaniu* stosujemy oficjalnie dostępny wskaźnik z ustawy z dnia 19 lipca 2019 r o systemie rekompensat dla sektorów i podsektorów energochłonnych.

Air emission volume

2020 – Direct GHG

t

223954

2021 – Direct GHG

t

250785

2020 – Indirect GHG*

t

489308

2021 – Indirect GHG*

t

502002

2020 – NOx

t

403

2021 – NOx

t

510

2020 – SO2

t

564

2021 – SO2

t

662

2020 – CO

t

270

2021 – CO

t

318

2020 – Dust

t

92

2021 – Dust

t

73

WASTE

At the Plant, we supervise the waste management and we proceed with waste in compliance with the law. The waste generated by the Plant undergoes the recovery process at the Plant or is submitted to entities having the required administrative decision on the waste collection in place.  Each tonne of waste leaving the premises of the Plant goes to verified and authorised entity.

Waste

2020

2021

Waste from the installation

t

5653

3988

Waste taken for recovery (scale)

t

15320

21169

Waste processed or given to external entities

t

23571

24706

At the Plant, we supervise the waste management and we proceed with waste in compliance with the law. The waste generated by the Plant undergoes the recovery process at the Plant or is submitted to entities having the required administrative decision on the waste collection in place.  Each tonne of waste leaving the premises of the Plant goes to verified and authorised entity.

Waste

2020 – Waste from the installation

t

5653

2021 – Waste from the installation

t

3988

2020 – Waste taken for recovery (scale)

t

15320

2021 – Waste taken for recovery (scale)

t

21169

2020 – Waste processed or given to external entities

t

23571

2021 – Waste processed or given to external entities

t

24706

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION HAND IN HAND WITH ECONOMY

Environmental initiatives mean not only limitation of influence on the surrounding, but also quantifiable benefits for the Company.  Thanks to the number of environmental activities, among others, rational waste management, de-dusting of post-process gases or heat recovery, in 2020 the total of benefits exceeded PLN 5.5 million and in 2021 – PLN 6.5 million.

. Heat recovered from the production process ensures full coverage of our CH and DHW demand. Previous solutions required the purchase of large amounts of heat from an external district heating network, which generated additional CO2 emissions for its producers.

WE PROTECT WATER RESOURCES OF OUR REGION

In order to minimise water consumption by the Company, all industrial water is obtained by re-using of social sewage and rainwater from the combined sewer system. The water treatment is conducted on the water treatment station. It allows restoring properties to used water what makes it fit for re-use as cooling water.

The effect of water treatment in the Company is:

  • abandoning surface waters abstraction,
  • limitation of groundwater abstraction,
  • reduction of the amount of sewage released into the environment.

WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE PLANT.

Water from the water supply network is used for social and industrial purposes. Industrial consumption is primarily:

  • supply of water demineralisation stations for internal cooling systems of the furnace units,
  • replenishment of cooling systems in the event of a shortage or poor quality of industrial water (during periods without rain),
  • filling tanks of fire extinguishing systems,
  • production of water and dust mixture,
  • maintenance of cleanliness of production facilities and prevention of dusting of raw materials.
Quantity of water purchased from a water supply network.

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Water purchased from a water supply network

TCM*

40.0

26.8

38.8

61.2

30.7

for social purposes

TCM*

16.5

14.9

17.2

24.1

18.4

for industrial purposes

TCM*

23.4

11.9

21.6

37.1

12.3

including water distributed directly to cooling systems

TCM*

11.7

3.6

15.8

33.3

12.3

*thousand cubic metres

WATER CONSUMPTION IN THE PLANT.

Water from the water supply network is used for social and industrial purposes. Industrial consumption is primarily:

  • supply of water demineralisation stations for internal cooling systems of the furnace units,
  • replenishment of cooling systems in the event of a shortage or poor quality of industrial water (during periods without rain),
  • filling tanks of fire extinguishing systems,
  • production of water and dust mixture,
  • maintenance of cleanliness of production facilities and prevention of dusting of raw materials.

Quantity of water purchased from a water supply network.

Water purchased from a water supply network

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 40.0

2020 – 26.8

2019 -38.8

2018 – 61.2

2017 – 30.7

for social purposes

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 16.5

2020 – 14.9

2019 – 17.1

2018 – 24.1

2017 – 18.4

for industrial purposes

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 23.4

2020 – 11.9

2019 – 21.6

2018 – 37.1

2017 – 12.3

including water distributed directly to cooling systems

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 11.7

2020 – 3.6

2019 – 15.8

2018 – 33.3

2017 – 12.3

Groundwater from SŁG-1 water intake, due to its very low quality, undergoes the coagulation process in the water treatment station (Stacja Odnowy Wody / SOW) and, along with reclaimed water, it is used to replenish cooling systems.
Quantity of collected groundwater.

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Water from underground water intake

TCM*

30,9

21.1

0

0

0

*thousand cubic metres

Groundwater from SŁG-1 water intake, due to its very low quality, undergoes the coagulation process in the water treatment station (Stacja Odnowy Wody / SOW) and, along with reclaimed water, it is used to replenish cooling systems.

Quantity of collected groundwater.

Water from underground water intake

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 30.9

2020 – 21.1

2019 – 0

2018 – 0

2017 – 0

Industrial water is used to replenish external cooling systems. The systems are used to cool the furnace units at furnace buildings (Piecownie) no. I and II – the Central Pumping Station (Pompownia Centralna) and furnace building no. IV – the central pumping station, furnace building no. IV. Water loss is proportional to the amount of heat received by the cooling tower.
Cooling system balance

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Industrial water for replenishment of cooling systems

TCM*

170.8

198.7

175.0

299.1

426.0

tap water used to supply the cooling system

TCM*

11.7

3.6

15.8

33.3

12.3

evaporation

TCM*

98.8

88

83.8

109.7

140.2

dissipation

TCM*

4.7

3.5

8.4

11.0

14.0

refreshment

TCM*

79.0

110.8

98.6

211.7

284.1

Industrial water is used to replenish external cooling systems. The systems are used to cool the furnace units at furnace buildings (Piecownie) no. I and II – the Central Pumping Station (Pompownia Centralna) and furnace building no. IV – the central pumping station, furnace building no. IV. Water loss is proportional to the amount of heat received by the cooling tower.

Cooling system balance

Industrial water for replenishment of cooling systems

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 170.8

2020 – 198.7

2019 – 175.0

2018 – 299.1

2017 – 426.0

tap water used to supply the cooling system

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 11.7

2020 – 3.6

2019 – 15.8

2018 – 33.3

2017 – 12.3

evaporation

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 98.8

2020 – 88

2019 – 109.7

2018 – 83.8

2017 – 140.2

dissipation

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 4.7

2020 – 3.5

2019 – 8.4

2018 – 11.0

2017 – 14.0

refreshment

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 79.0

2020 – 110.8

2019 – 98.6

2018 – 211.7

2017 – 284.1

WATER SUPPLY SOURCES

1. Tap water is purchased from RPWiK Tychy. The companies have three water connections located at:

  • Cieszyńska (at the railway gate).
  • Wyzwolenia, next to the dust collector.
  • Wyzwolenia next to SOW.

2. Groundwater is obtained from the water intake SŁG-1 with the following parameters:

  • total depth – 18 m,
  • location of aquifer – 13.5 ÷ 14.7 below the ground level
  • maximum capacity – 6 m3/h.
  • at  S = 7.86 below the ground level

The water intake is located in the water treatment station (Stacja Odnowy Wody). The collected water is treated in the process of coagulation and it is used to replenish the cooling systems.

3. Water is recovered from sewage flowing into the combined sewer system. 

The balance of the inflow of sewage in thousand m3/year is presented in the table below:

Inflow of sewage into SOW

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

refreshment of cooling systems

TCM*

79.0

110.8

98.6

211.7

284.1

wastewater generated from purchased tap water

TCM*

31.6

23.2

23.0

27.9

18.4

water from groundwater intake – for decarbonisation and coagulation process

TCM*

30.9

21.1

0.0

0.0

0.0

rainwater

TCM*

119.5

142.9

129.9

94.6

172.0

Total:

TCM*

298.0

298.0

251.5

334.2

474.5

*thousand cubic metres

WATER SUPPLY SOURCES.

1. Tap water is purchased from RPWiK Tychy. The companies have three water connections located at:

  • Cieszyńska (at the railway gate),
  • Wyzwolenia, next to the dust collector,
  • Wyzwolenia  next to SOW.

2. Groundwater is obtained from the water intake SŁG-1 with the following parameters:

  • total depth – 18 m,
  • location of aquifer – 13.5 ÷ 14.7 below the ground level
  • maximum capacity – 6 m3/h.
  • at  S = 7.86 below the ground level

The water intake is located in the water treatment station (Stacja Odnowy Wody). The collected water is treated in the process of coagulation and it is used to replenish the cooling systems.

3.  Water is recovered from sewage flowing into the combined sewer system.

The balance of the inflow of sewage in thousand m3/year is presented in the table below:

Inflow of sewage into SOW

refreshment of cooling systems

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 79.0

2020 – 110.8

2019 – 98.6

2018 – 211.7

2017 – 284.1

wastewater generated from purchased tap water

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 31.6

2020 – 23.2

2019 – 23.0

2018 – 27.9

2017 – 18.4

water from groundwater intake – for decarbonisation and coagulation process

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 30.9

2020 – 21.1

2019 – 0.0

2018 – 0.0

2017 – 0.0

rainwater

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 119.5

2020 – 142.9

2019 – 129.9

2018 – 94.6

2017 – 172.0

Total:

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 261.0

2020 – 298.0

2019 – 251.5

2018 -334.2

2017 – 474.5

Sewage is treated in a biological wastewater treatment plant and collected in two retention reservoirs with a total working capacity of approximately 3,300 m3. Pre-treated sewage is treated in decarbonisation, coagulation and filtration processes. The excess of treated wastewater is discharged into trench G (Rów G). The discharge from SOW is presented in the table below.

Discharge from the water treatment station (SOW)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

treated wastewater discharged into the environment

TCM*

89.4

98.2

75.9

33.8

43.2

Reclaimed industrial water for replenishment of cooling systems

TCM*

170.8

198.7

175.0

299.1

426.0

loss

TCM*

1.1

1.1

0.6

1.3

5.3

Total:

TCM*

261.0

298.0

251.5

334.2

474.5

*thousand cubic metres

Source: Own elaboration based on readings from water meters and based on invoices for the supply of water from the water supply network.

Sewage is treated in a biological wastewater treatment plant and collected in two retention reservoirs with a total working capacity of approximately 3,300 m3. Pre-treated sewage is treated in decarbonisation, coagulation and filtration processes. The excess of treated wastewater is discharged into trench G (Rów G). The discharge from SOW is presented in the table below.

Discharge from the water treatment station (SOW)

treated wastewater discharged into the environment

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 89.4

2020 – 98.2

2019 – 75.9

2018 – 33.8

2017 – 43.2

Reclaimed industrial water for replenishment of cooling systems

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 170.8

2020 – 198.7

2019 – 175.0

2018 – 299.1

2017 – 426.0

loss

thousand cubic metres

2021 – 0.8

2020 – 1.1

2019 – 0.6

2018 – 1.3

2017 – 5.3

Total:

thousand cubic metres

2020 – 261.0

2019 – 251.5

2018 – 334.2

2017 – 474.5

Source: Own elaboration based on readings from water meters and based on invoices for the supply of water from the water supply network.

ENERGY
Ferroalloys production, in particular high silicon alloys, is very energy-intensive due to the physico-chemical requirements of the process. The below table shows total energy consumption in MWh in 2018-2022 by the installations.

2018

2019

2020

2021

682 462

552 618

555 746

718 953

The above energy consumption depends on production volume.

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