The cement production process and the transportation of materials are the main sources of air emissions such as dust, nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx).
We implement a programme of continuous and periodic measurements at stationary sources of emissions as well as for the quality of air in order to safeguard the health of our people and the people in areas close to our production units.
We also seek to ensure the proper maintenance and best possible operation of our equipment and the strict implementation of the rules governing the transportation of materials both within and outside our plants.
All our plants operate in full compliance with the new, stricter emission limits set by the EU Industrial Emissions Directive. We were able to adjust immediately to these standards thanks to our philosophy of achieving the desired results, over and above the prescriptions of the law long time before the new limits.
In this context, we have undertaken substantial investments in new technologies and have installed continuous operation bag filters (to replace the kiln electrostatic precipitators), closed storage-feeding systems, a Selective Non-Catalytic NOx Reduction (SNCR) system, new low NOx burners, on-line analysers, quality control equipment, automatic samplers and by-pass systems for volatiles (chloride) form the kiln.
The results are impressive: in comparison to 1990, the specific dust emissions have been reduced by 95% and the specific NOx emissions by 70% (2017 data). SOx emissions are captured by the alkaline environment in the production process and are much lower than the levels prescribed in the environmental permits of the production plants.
Lastly, to control diffuse dust we take such steps as wetting roads and raw materials, encapsulating fuels piles, constructing embankments and planting trees in the perimeter.
The dispersion of dust and other air pollutants outside the production plant premises depends on the layout of the facilities and atmospheric conditions. In collaboration with Greek universities, we have therefore conducted dispersion studies in accordance with international standards, in order to ensure adherence to limit values of the quality of air in surrounding areas.