Focus on energy
Tessenderlo Group's energy policy is characterized by constant efforts to cut energy consumption through energy-efficient production and the use of the 'Best Available Technology'. The group's efforts to minimise energy consumption are supported by a purposeful purchasing policy.
Energy consumption
In view of the substantial amounts of energy used in production processes an active policy of energy saving is in place. Heat is recycled in a number of different processes, either directly through product integration or through the exchange of steam.
Some examples of energy saving are:
At Tessenderlo Chemie Ham, - the surplus steam is converted into electricity.
At SAV in Mazingarbe (France) co-generation of steam and electricity is in place.
The Pieve Vergonte site in Italy generates its own electricity from its recently upgraded hydro-electric power stations.
Energy and climate policy
The sites of Tessenderlo Group in Flanders have signed an energy benchmark covenant with the regional government. Under this agreement, external experts have determined the energy efficiency of each production process and have compared the results to the most energy-efficient companies in the world. If this comparison shows that improvements are required to reach the best energy efficiency levels in the world, these energy-saving projects will be set out in energy plans to be phased in by 2012 at the latest.
The most significant saving projects at the Belgian sites are the new electrolysis unit with membrane technology, the energy-saving direct chlorination plant at LVM and ongoing heat recuperation in the sulphate furnaces. These projects put Tessenderlo Group among the world's most energy-efficient companies. They will generate reductions of 13 % in primary energy consumption by 2012. The direct emissions of greenhouse gasses will be cut by 72,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum (for further details see facts).
