In IJmuiden, several measures have been taken, which yielded a significant result in 2022. Measurements by independent, accredited, measurement agencies demonstrate that the intended 50% reduction in PAH emissions compared to 2019 levels has now been achieved at three sources with high PAH emissions (the Additives Plant, the Cold Strip Milll and the Sinter Plant). 

High-tech environmental installation

At the Cold Strip Mill, a high-tech environmental installation is making the difference. The gases of the annealing furnaces are cleaned using special filters, as a result of which no PAHs are released from annealing rolls of steel. The remaining PAHs are then incinerated and converted into pure water and a CO2 fraction. We are continuously monitoring emissions here.

Optimising flue gas cleaning at Sintering Plant

At the Sintering Plant, we increased the dose of activated carbon in the existing flue gas cleaning. As PAHs bind to activated carbon, they precipitate in the dust filter. This new approach has already yielded promising results. In the coming period we will continue with new tests and measurements.

Improved seal of Coking Plant 2 

In Coking Plant 2, coal is heated in furnaces. A gas cleaning installation extracts most of the gases released in this process. However, PAHs can still be released through a number of openings such as filler holes and furnace doors. By taking operational measures, we can also achieve positive results here. Periodic observations show that emissions at the furnace doors have halved. We expect that this will also lead to a reduction in PAH emissions.