Press room

The industrial environment

Atmospheric emissions by foundries constitute a major preoccupation for the environment. The treatment of atmospheric pollutants starts by reducing them at source by optimising the processes, in order to first reduce the volume of emissions.

CTIF contributes to finding the most economically acceptable solution, taking into account the pollution control objectives, the technical obligations and the economic constraints.

The best available technologies

The reference document for the best technologies available to the foundry sector (BREF), elaborated in the context of IPPC directive 96/61/EC, was published in July 2004 and accepted by the European Commission in April 2005. After being translated into French, it has become the accepted instrument for inspecting classified installations during the inspection of your foundry. CTIF was deeply involved in the elaboration of the document in the context of its European tasks.

Atmospheric pollution

Circular dated 13^th July 2004, concerning the strategy for controlling and reducing atmospheric emissions which are damaging to health, provides the overall national objective for 2000 / 2010 of reducing by 50% the dioxin emissions from foundry cupola furnaces. CTIF is studying the dioxin formation mechanisms in collaboration with ADEME and with Europe (DIOFUR Collective Research Project).

Smells

The use of chemical resins for the manufacture of casting cores leads to gaseous emissions which are liable to cause bad smells in the neighbourhood. These are frequently the cause for community complaints. The neutralisation of bad smells using essential oils can provide a solution in the event of a neighbourhood crisis, but does not constitute a technique for the treatment of coring emissions.

Waste

In the field of foundry waste, the alternative technique to land disposal has been demonstrated internationally for spent sand and slag in soil technology applications, the production of manufactured goods and soil improvement, or yet hydraulic recycling of sand. Development is in progress for other waste products whose scarcity and/or properties may additionally represent an obstacle to their use.

Environmental management system

Environmental management provides a means of controlling the risks of activities, improving environmental performance, differentiation in a competitive market, satisfying the expectations of prime contractors and customers, or creating a dynamic within the company.

CTIF has established, and is experimenting with 10 volunteer foundries, the application guide for the Company Environmental Plan (PEE) 2000 ADEME/Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry operating method for the foundry sector. This tool helps companies to gradually implement an environmental management approach based upon 3 complementary modules: Appraisal and initial programme, ISO 14001, Performance improvement per domain.

Regulatory watch

In order to satisfy the requirements regarding identification and access to legal requirements followed by regular evaluation of compliance with the regulations, called up by standard ISO 14001, companies establishing or wishing to maintain an EMS, must undertake a regulatory and legislative watch.

CTIF provides subscribers with French and European legal information specific to foundries, with commentaries by specialists.