Manufacture of Organic Basic Chemicals
Production of high-volume organic chemicals including olefins, aromatics, and their derivatives with specific GHG emission thresholds.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation
The specific GHG emissions must not exceed the applicable EU ETS product benchmark for each chemical product. Key benchmarks include: steam cracking for high-value chemicals (HVC) at 0.702 tCO2e per tonne of HVC (ethylene, propylene, butadiene, benzene), styrene at 0.527 tCO2e/t, ethylene oxide/glycols at 0.512 tCO2e/t, and adipic acid at 2.79 tCO2e/t. Emissions must be verified under the EU ETS Monitoring and Reporting Regulation (EU) 2018/2066.
Steam cracking is the dominant production route for olefins, operating at furnace temperatures above 800 degrees C. BAT as defined in the Large Volume Organic Chemicals (LVOC) BREF (2017) requires optimised furnace design with high radiant coil efficiency, transfer line exchangers for waste heat recovery, advanced process integration (pinch analysis), and low-NOx burners. Catalytic cracking alternatives and electric cracking furnaces represent emerging abatement technologies.
For N2O-emitting processes (adipic acid, nitric acid feedstock), catalytic N2O abatement must achieve destruction rates above 98.5%, consistent with BAT. Where applicable, bio-based or recycled feedstocks (chemical recycling of plastic waste via pyrolysis) may be used to reduce the fossil carbon footprint.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Adaptation
A CRVA per Appendix A must cover the chemical production site and associated infrastructure under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 climate projections.
DNSH: Climate Change Adaptation
Physical climate risks must be assessed, with particular attention to flooding (chemical plants often located near waterways), extreme heat affecting cooling systems, and water scarcity impacting steam generation and cooling.
DNSH: Water and Marine Resources
The activity must comply with the Water Framework Directive. Process wastewater must be treated to meet BAT-AELs from the LVOC BREF before discharge. COD, AOX, and specific pollutant concentrations must remain within permit limits. Cooling water thermal discharge must not cause ecological harm.
DNSH: Circular Economy
Process integration must maximise by-product valorisation (e.g. C4 streams from crackers). Waste minimisation through process optimisation is required. Chemical recycling of waste plastics as alternative feedstock should be explored. Catalyst recovery and recycling must be implemented.
DNSH: Pollution Prevention and Control
The activity must comply with the Industrial Emissions Directive and LVOC BREF. VOC emissions from storage, loading, and process vents must meet BAT-AELs (typically below 5-20 mg C/Nm3 for channelled sources). Flaring must be minimised and a flare management plan implemented. Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) programmes must be in place for fugitive emissions. Benzene emissions must not exceed 1 mg/Nm3 at relevant sources.