Industrialists are now required to eliminate any negative effects on the environment.
Russia passed the bill to require industrialists in Russia to eliminate any negative effects on the environment. These norms make it clear that companies are responsible for the entire lifecycle of facilities. They also prohibit them from closing down dangerous production facilities without removing any accumulated harm to environment. Many oil chemical companies are slowly changing their corporate culture. Environment issues are always relevant in Nizhnekamsk. Here 18% are the main production assets of Republic. The material in Realnoe Vremya explains how environmental risks in the region are being reduced and what measures are needed to meet current needs.
Tatarstan’s petrochemical capital
One of the key oil refining regions of Tatarstan is Nizhnekamsk. It accounts for 25% of all products and 30% of exports. Here are more than 60 industrial companies and 6000 air pollution points.
In 2006, Nizhnekamsk created an interdepartmental working party to address environmental problems. This group included large enterprises in the petrochemical sector.
Now, air samples are taken in Tatarstan’s petrochemical capital several times per day. Fixed stations are used to do this. To keep the situation under control the data are automatically transmitted to Ministry of Environment.
However, the final board meeting of Republican Ministry of Environment revealed that there were more than 20 complaints from Nizhnekamsk residents last year about the air quality. Experts found the source of the emissions. It turned out that Kamastal PLC was the source of the emissions. This company is a resident in Nizhnekamsk PSEDA and paints coiled metal. Kamastal PLC, a resident of Nizhnekamsk PSEDA, was brought to justice. It was ordered to install new filter equipment.
Meanwhile, the work of the industrial giants such as Nizhnekamskneftekhim, part of SIBUR, Nizhnekamskshina, Nizhnekamsktekhuglerod, TAIF-NK and TANECO, raises fewer and fewer questions among environmentalists. The enterprises meet the demands of the times by introducing environmentally-friendly production.
Nizhnekamskneftekhim It helps preserve the environment. The company has rebuilt biological treatment facilities that treat wastewater from all industrial areas and the city. A new collector for chemically polluted waste was installed to improve the reliability and throughput of the transportation system. The reconstruction of the BTF cost more than 3 billion rubles.
Reconstructed and rebuilt new buildings and structures: receiving chamber, disposal basin to collect polymer chips with gas outlet, grit chambers and unit for removing volatile hydrocarbons. The facilities are all sealed tight to eliminate the possibility of unpleasant odours being released into the atmosphere during wastewater treatment. Modernization also includes the latest gas cleaning units biofilters that are populated with special bacteria to combat unpleasant odours. All this made it possible for us to reduce the atmospheric air pollution in Nizhnekamsk,” Rustem Kazalov, head of the Volga-Kama Ecological Centre noted in an interview.
The number of complaints by the public about unpleasant odours has dropped sharply after the reconstruction of Nizhnekamsk’s BTF. Rospotrebnadzor had received 50 appeals previously, but that does not count negative posts on social networking sites. Last year, however, only five appeals were received, Rustem Iziyatullin the chief sanitary doctor in Nizhnekamsk Municipal District noted to Realnoe Vremya.
Nizhnekamskneftekhim operates, and carries out environment protection measures even under difficult economic conditions. The company is over 50 years old and has a lot of experience. There were other environmental requirements in the past, but they weren’t as strict as they are today. We have to give thanks to the enterprise. They do a lot,” Rustem Iziyatullin is the head of the territorial division of Rospotrebnadzor’s Rospotrebnadzor Department of the Republic of Tatarstan in Nizhnekamsk Municipal District.
Nizhnekamskneftekhim has reduced the environmental impact despite the increased production volumes. Since 2001, output has increased nearly 2 times and emissions have declined by 47%.
The third stage of reconstruction of the BTF is being undertaken by Nizhnekamskneftekhim this year. The company plans to re-equip both the tertiary and decontamination stations. Ultraviolet lamps will be used for water disinfection. These works will be performed as part of the implementation 5th environmental program, which is planned for 2022-2025. The estimated cost of its implementation is 12,5 trillion rubles.
The company plans to also replace the burner units on furnaces, rebuild the industrial waste landfill, and reclaim the piles of sludge.
Introduction of circular economy
TAIF-NK also has their own environmental programs. A local industrial wastewater treatment plant was established in the area five years ago. The nature protection facility operates on the principle that a closed water cycle is used. Since 2006, the company has decreased emissions to the atmosphere by 33%. That’s 5,8 million tonnes per year. The vapor recovery program played a significant part in improving the ecological environment in the region. It captures hydrocarbons, and returns them to production.
100 percent of the treated wastewater is also used to produce another oil refining company, TANECO. Carbon capture and storage are promising ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The hydrogen production process creates carbon dioxide at the enterprise. This carbon dioxide is used for oil recovery and makes it possible to close down the production chain. It also serves as an example for the introduction of a circular economic model.
Energy companies also have an effective environmental policy. The technical re-equipment and modernization of the condensate-treatment unit at chemical shop No. 1 is one of the most resource-saving investments in recent years. 1 was introduced in collaboration with Nizhnekamskneftekhim PJSC to ensure the acceptance of industrial condensate as part of the station cycle.
New ways to combat pollution
Experts believe that the environmental responsibility of enterprises is more than a mandatory law. It is also a mechanism for sustainable development. Green technologies improve reputation and increase investment attraction. Dmitry Orekhov, director of NKR rating agency, notes that green technologies are important for corporations for many reasons.
First, companies can reduce their negative impact on the environment by following established principles. The financing of green projects will in the future reduce the cost of financing a company. Currently, financing a conventional or green project is the same cost. Thirdly, he believes that foreign investors can be attracted to the company by the openness of its environmental agenda.”
In December 2013, the issue of industrialists moving to a sustainable economy became more pressing than ever. The State Duma made more than 100 amendments to the law regarding ecology. They have radically changed the way people view the use of natural resources and increased responsibility for the environment at all levels.
One of the key points of the law on secondary materials resources is expanded responsibility for manufacturers and importers regarding the disposal of goods.
Industrial companies will need to consider how to dispose of their packaging and products safely. Another innovation: Owners will not be able avoid paying fines if their products cause environmental damage.
These measures will not only improve the environment, but also establish new principles of business ethics and environmental responsibility. Included for many Nizhnekamsk companies that have neglected environmental issues.
Lilia Yegorova
Tatarstan
