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Environmental Report 2019

At RGS Nordic, we work hard to give our children a world in which the resources of Earth are purified and reused. In addition, we have a close collaboration with our customers in order to make circular economy profitable. Further information is available on rgsnordic.com

We are on a mission

Quality, environmental and health & safety policy for RGS Nordic – Water solutions..........5Environmental Report 2019 ........................................................................................................................................5Signature of the management ..................................................................................................................................5Company presentation ................................................................................................................................................. 6Environmental conditions .........................................................................................................................................11Environmental impacts ...............................................................................................................................................11Energy efficiency and consumption ...................................................................................................................17Environmental issues .................................................................................................................................................. 24Environmental accidents ..........................................................................................................................................25Management system ....................................................................................................................................................26System structure ............................................................................................................................................................26Environmental objectives and targets for 2019 ..........................................................................................28Health & safety objectives and targets for 2019 ........................................................................................28Quality objectives and targets for 2019 ...........................................................................................................28Environmental objectives and targets for 2020 ..........................................................................................29Health & safety objectives and targets for 2020 ........................................................................................29Quality objectives and targets for 2020 ...........................................................................................................29Development of the environmental management system ..................................................................30DNV GL - Business Assurance Denmark A/S Certificate ........................................................................ 31

Table of contents

RGS Nordic // Environmental Report 2019 // 5

RGS Nordic – Water Solutions wishes:• to be Denmark’s leading company within the area of value-adding industrial wastewater management.

• to offer treatment solutions for industrial wastewater and sludge that through a holistic effort create value for the customers of the company resulting in a high safety level, the lowest possible consumption of resources and the lowest possible impact on the environment.

RGS Nordic – Water Solutions will:• develop objectives and set targets to ensure

compliance with the quality, health & safety and environmental policy.

• ensure a professional, value-adding and service- minded approach to all stakeholders.

• follow the market development and ensure commercial drivers in relation to e.g. technologies, sustainability and CSR.

• be proactive and acknowledged for our high quality and professional competencies.

• ensure qualified exchange of ideas with all our stakeholders (customers, employees, authorities, NGOs, shareholders etc.).

• optimise the consumption of resources by focusing on work processes, routines and technologies available.

• create a health & safety culture in the company to ensure the involvement of employees and security on a day-to-day basis. This also applies to people who enter and stay at our plant for short and long periods.

• continuously focus on and improve the work environ-ment and thus minimise the number of accidents.

• offer working conditions with scope for develop-ment where information and education prepare and qualify each employee to be a pioneer.

• ensure an open dialogue with our shareholders, customers, employees, the public, authorities and other stakeholders and to publish objectives and targets in the company’s Environmental Report.

• besides complying with the legislation, engage to reduce the impact on our surroundings through preventive measures and continuous improvements.

• maintain and improve our management system so that it always supports the company’s business areas in an efficient manner and complies with the legislative requirements as well as our own requirements for our products and services.

• comply with binding obligations from relevant stakeholders.

Environmental Report 2019This Environmental Report concerns RGS Nordic – Water Solutions, which is still located at Stigsnæs Industripark (Industrial Park), Askelunden 24, DK-4230 Skælskør.

This Environmental Report concerns the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019.

The Environmental Report was verified by DNV GL – Business Assurance Denmark A/S on 29 April 2020 in accordance with the EMAS Regulation. The verifier’s accreditation number is DK-V-6001.

The next Environmental Report will be published in mid-2021.

The aim of this Environmental Report is to provide investors, authorities, customers, neighbours and other business partners with easily accessible information regarding the company’s environ-mental conditions, policies and targets.

The verification does not include work environment.

Quality, environmental and health & safety policy for RGS Nordic – Water Solutions

Signature of the management Stigsnæs, 29 April 2020

Pernille Lyngsie PedersenProduction Manager, Industrial Wastewater

Jonathan CopeBusiness Unit Director, Water Solutions

6 // RGS Nordic // Environmental Report 2019

Name and location of the companyRGS Nordic - Water SolutionsAskelunden 24DK-4230 Skælskør The wastewater treatment plant at Stigsnæs Industrial Park was established in 1988. Today, the plant is owned by RGS Nordic. The area is subject to the local plan no. 126 of 9 October 2003 from Skælskør Municipality for an area for waste processing activities at Stigsnæs Industrial Park. The local plan applies to this business area.

Industry, main activity and list itemThe main activity is the collection and treatment of wastewater, and the company is covered by the Ministry of Environment’s Statutory Order No. 1317 of 20 November 2019 on the approval of listed activities, Annex 1 list item 5.1 “Disposal or recovery of hazardous waste with a capacity exceeding 10 tonnes/day, involving one or more of the following activities”:

1. Biological treatment

The wastewater treatment plant has been established with the purpose of handling waste water from companies at Stigsnæs Industrial Park as well as from external suppliers. The construction of Stigsnæs Industrial Park has been completed, and companies establishing their businesses here will be connected to the central communal plant at RGS Nordic – Industrial wastewater: A biological-chemical treatment plant with several pre-treatment facilities, supply of process and drinking water etc.

There are 14 employees within the specific business area of wastewater treatment. The biological-chemical treatment plant treats biodegradable, concentrated industrial waste-water with a high content of organic matter, nitrogen, salts and heavy metals. Wastewater and waste from companies in Stigsnæs Industrial Area and from other companies in Denmark and abroad are treated.

2. Physical-chemical treatment3. Re-refining or other forms of reusing oil. Plus the list item 5.3 b) “Recovery or a mix of recovery and disposal of non-hazardous waste with a capacity exceeding 75 tonnes/day, involving one or more of the following activities, and excluding activities covered by Directive 91/271/EEC on urban wastewater treatment”:

1. Biological treatment2. Physical-chemical treatment.

NACE code 37.00

RGS Nordic holds/can obtain authorisation to treat the following residual products from the industry:1. Biodegradable “problematic wastewater”

with e.g. a high content of organic matters which may not be led into drains due to its concentration, health hazards or odours.

2. Wastewater requiring habituation of the active sludge, and which is added in a controlled flow, e.g. due to high nitrification inhibition of non-habituated sludge.

3. Wastewater containing substances which are absorbed to sludge.

4. Wastewater containing heavy metals.5. Other types of waste or sludge of which it is

possible to demonstrate a safe degradation and/or reuse.

6. E.g. easily degradable carbonaceous waste-water, used lye for pH adjustment as well as non-saline wastewater are received for recovery.

7. For recovery, oleaginous wastewater where oil is separated and reused is received as well.

Company presentation

Besides the environmental permit with the attached supplements, RGS Nordic obtained a preliminary approval of the utilisation plant from the Danish Ministry of Food and Environment in June 2019. This means that certain types of waste can now be received for recovery.

RGS Nordic notifies Slagelse Municipality of any addition of new industries or any contracts concluded with external industries regarding treatment of chemical waste or wastewater that is brought here in tank vessels or in road tankers.

Control of receptions is performed as chemical analyses of all wastewater and waste to ensure that the plant only receives approved products.

Environmental supervisory authority and environmental approvalsSlagelse Municipality is the supervisory authority for the company.

On 9 March 1989, the County of Western Zealand granted a discharge permit and company authorisation for the wastewater treatment plant in accordance with the Danish Environmental Protection Act, chapter 4 and 5. The company is approved as a treatment plant for chemical waste and wastewater.

The discharge permit is a framework approval, and the terms will be changed as the Industrial Park is developed. Until now, the following significant changes have been made: ( please see the timeline below).

Supplement to the discharge permit of

9 October 1990.

Addendum no. 2 of 26 November 1991 in

connection with the commissioning of the

treatment plant.

Addendum no. 3 of 23 November 1992

regarding the softening plant.

Amendment to the terms of 11 December 1995 in

connection with the introduction of a new

wastewater type.

Amendment to the terms of 11 June 1997. Revision of

independent control.

Renewed environmental permit, adopted on 26

November 2008, which entered into force on 12 July 2013 after

a ruling was made in two appeal cases concerning the

new permit.

Supplementary approval of 25 February 2011 to the

environmental permit of 26 November 2008 regarding additional storage tanks.

Supplementary approval of 8 November 2013 to the

environmental permit of 26 November 2008 regarding additional storage tanks.

Supplementary approval of 25 September 2015 for the

expansion of the plant with an additional process line.

Supplementary approval of 13 June 2017 for 4 holding

tanks and a blower.1990

1991

1992

1995

1997

2008

2011

2013

2015

2017 Supplementary approval of 1 May 2019 for the

adjustment of the list name.

2019

8 // RGS Nordic // Environmental Report 2019 RGS Nordic // Environmental Report 2019 // 9

Ships

Tankers

Recipient tanks

Line 1

Dilution water

Line 2

Holding tanks

Distribution box 1

Distribution box 2

Anaerobic

Aeration tanks

Return sludge

Microfilter Sand filters

Washing water

Reject water

Discharge to the sea

Carbon filtersSurplus sludge

Concentration tank Sludge storage tank Centrifuge

Outlet basin

Polymer

Surplus sludge

Precipitation chemistry

Post-clarification tank

Post-clarification tank

Aeration tanks

Anaerobic

Aerobic

Aerobic

then sent for reuse at an external business partner.

5. Use of rainwater and drainage water All rainwater from the paved areas and buildings of the Industrial Park as well as drainage water are collected. It is treated and used as process water at the treatment plan as a dilution of saline wastewater. In case of heavy rainfall, non-contaminated rainwater is led directly into the sound Agersø Sund. 6. Biological-chemical treatmentFrom the receipt and storage tanks, the waste-water is pumped to a selector, from where it flows to the active sludge plant where the organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus are removed under alternating anaerobic (oxygen-free) and aerobic (oxygen-rich) conditions. Electricity is used for agitation and aeration, water is used for the adjustment of the salt content, and excipients are used for pH adjustment, phos-phorus precipitation and improvement of the sedimentation properties of the sludge.

7. Post-clarification tankAfter the biological treatment, the wastewater is led to the post-clarification tank for sedimen-tation of the sludge. Some of the sludge is pumped back to the process, and the surplus sludge is pumped off for dewatering through the sludge concentration and sludge storage tanks.

8. Microfilters From the post-clarification tank, the water is led to two microfilters with a cloth of 10 μm. The purpose of this step is to hold even small particles back so that they will not enter into the carbon filters.

9. Sand filtersThe treated wastewater is led from the microfilter for post-polishing by 3 sand filters, which add excipients to remove small particles before the water is led to a buffer tank (tank 2).

10. Carbon filtersFinally, the treated wastewater is led to another post-polishing step in the form of carbon filters. Here, the COD which was not degraded in the

biological plant is removed and then piped to the sound Agersø Sund at a depth of 9 metres. The treated wastewater contains small degrada-tion residues from the incoming wastewater as well as chemical and bacterial residues.

10.-11. Sludge for recovery From the sludge concentration and sludge storage tanks, the surplus sludge is pumped for dewatering in a centrifuge. Polymer is added in order to dewater the sludge. The water is led back for biological purification.

The dewatered sludge consists of organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus and various salts from the wastewater. Moreover, it contains metals and possibly environmental pollutants, which are absorbed to the sludge from the wastewater as well as bacteria residues.

The biological surplus sludge is utilised in incineration plants for the production of electricity or heat. RGS Nordic – Water Solutions is also able to receive sludge for reutilisation from external suppliers. Wet sludge can be dewatered in RGS Nordic – Water Solutions’ centrifuge and further allocated for recovery purposes.

Product optimisationIn 2020, we will have a continuous focus on adapting the biomass to higher salt concentra-tions.

Projects in 2020:The project from 2019 as regards reception facilities for slop and washing water with oil residues (e.g. Class 1 oil) continues in 2020. Thus, we expect the reception facilities to be ready in the summer of 2020.

In 2020, we are still working on a minor plant for heating of slop water to ensure a percent-age-wise better utilisation of the oil amount.

In addition, we will also have an increased focus on energy optimisation in 2020. The purpose is, as a minimum, to achieve a prioritised list of major energy optimisation potentials.

RGS Nordic – Water Solutions’ activities are de-scribed below, with a main emphasis on significant resource and environmental parameters.

The following process flow diagram illustrates the production performed at the wastewater treatment plant, which involves the treatment of industrial wastewater and waste. Sludge is produced for recycling as well as purified wastewater which is discharged into the sound Agersø Sund. Electricity, natural gas, chemicals and water are used for the actual treatment process while carbon and alkali in the wastewater are recovered as excipients. Moreover, spare parts, oil and lubricating grease are used for the maintenance of the mechanical parts of the plant.

1. InletThe wastewater is carried in a pipeline from Stigsnæs Industrial Area. Wastewater from exter-nal industries is transported in road tankers or received by ship at the harbour Gulfhavn in Stigsnæs and is then pumped through a pipeline to the treatment plant. Proportionally fewest

resources are used for direct piping or transport by ship.

2. Receipt and storage facilitiesRGS Nordic – Water Solutions has more than 100,000 m3 of receipt and storage facilities at its disposal. Electricity is used for pumps and agitators in the tanks. Odour mitigation measures have been established at these facilities, as well as a tank for the storage of oily residues from imported wastewater.

3. Heavy metal precipitation plantSome wastewater types must be pre-treated in a heavy metal precipitation plant. In this plant, precipitation chemicals and polymer are added in order to remove the heavy metals by sedi-mentation where sludge is generated for reuse.

4. Separation of oil phaseWastewater with significant amounts of oil phase are collected in storage tanks where oil is sepa-rated from water by means of a skimmer pump and pumped to an oil storage tank. The oil is

Description of RGS Nordic – Water Solutions’ activities

Chart 1. Process flow diagram

RGS Nordic // Environmental Report 2019 // 11

The wastewater treatment plant is based on re-ception and treatment of industrial wastewater and sludge. This produces treated wastewater for discharge in the recipient as well as biological surplus sludge for recovery.

In 2015, the company updated the mapping of all direct and indirect environmental conditions concerning our activities in relation to ordinary operations, start-up and closing as well as unfore-

seen situations. This mapping has been conducted in accordance with the criteria in the EMAS III Regulation of 28 August 2017. Emission of green-house gases is calculated on the basis of the total energy consumption.

As part of the company’s environmental manage-ment system, annual targets for environmental improvements of the plant are set.

Environmental conditions

Data sources for significant direct environmental impacts The significant direct environmental impacts are determined on the basis of a mapping of the environmental conditions at the wastewater treat-ment plant. The measured and recorded data has been collected from control systems originating from the day-to-day operations of the treatment plant, the latest Environmental Report and monthly statements reported to Slagelse Municipality.

As in previous years, we have decided to present the figures from the preceding 4 financial years, which provides a good basis to evaluate the de-velopment of the operations at the treatment plant.

Moreover, we have, in accordance with EMAS III of 28 August 2017, decided to account for the com-pany’s direct environmental performance based on relevant key indicators. These figures appear from Table 3 on page 16.

The measurement methods for the figures used are as follows:The volumes of incoming and outgoing substances are based on exact measurements and weighing of total volumes compared to analyses of substance values. All instruments and scales are calibrated, and the accuracy of the analyses only deviates by a few per cent.

The incoming substances only include the volume of collected rainwater calculated, while excipients

are compiled by manual measurements and com-pared to monthly stock counts as well as supplier information.

In outgoing substances, treated wastewater, only the small volumes of phenol, sulphide and mineral oil are based on random samples. All other sub-stances, for which there are required values, are based on a flow-proportional total control compared to analyses in accordance with the current Danish standards. The volume of surplus sludge is based on weighing on a calibrated scale compared to daily random samples of the dry matter content.

WastewaterThe raw materials of the plant consist of approx. 30 different types of industrial wastewater that are led to the treatment plant. Before a new wastewater type is led in, a number of analyses have been performed, such as chemical analyses, biodegra-dation tests and ecotoxicological tests, in order to document that the wastewater can be treated within the framework of the current discharge permit, company authorisation and environmental policy. The volume of incoming substances is shown in Table 1, and the volume of outgoing substances is shown in Table 2.

The electricity consumption has been calculated as the meter readings have been adjusted by con-sumption for multi-use facilities for several plants at Stigsnæs Industrial Park for the years 2015 to and including 2019.

Environmental impacts


*The volumes have been corrected as a surface water flow had been included twice by mistake.

Outgoing substances Unit 1/1 2015 1/1 2016 1/1 2017 1/1 2018 1/1 2019

31/12 2015 31/12 2016 31/12 2017 31/12 2018 31/12 2019

Treated wastewater

Water volume m³/year 696,049 878,011 1,390,364 1,158,613 1,197,525

Organic matter measured as chemical oxygen consumption (COD)

tonnes COD/year 88 159 153 170 192

Organic matter measured as biological oxygen consumption (BI5)

tonnes BI5 /year 8.0 6.1 5.5 5.9 16.1

Nitrogen kg N/year 5,937 9,399 7,970 10,582 8,231

Phosphorus kg P/year 426 778 1,313 1,408 2,470

Ammonium kg N/year 3,324 6,072 2,815 3,823 2,275

Nitrate kg N/year 420 453 103 462 463

Suspended matter kg/year 3,431 1,523 2,736 2,083 1,908

Chromium kg/year 1.8 4.5 3.2 4.8 18.9

Nickel kg/year 20.7 21.3 27.2 12.6 71.9

Sludge and other waste

Sludge for recycling tonnes/year 3,352 2,525 4,277 4,134 5,423

Sludge for recycling tonnes TS/year 823 468 812 890 1,159

Other waste for energy utilisation tonnes/year 129 392 302 1,116* 534

Paper for recycling tonnes/year 0.07 0.04 0.13 0.14 3.22

Cardboard for recycling tonnes/year 0.82 0.51 1.01 1.30 1.28

Combustible waste tonnes/year 6 4 11.9 7.2 7.7

Emissions to air

CO2 from gas boiler tonnes/year 21 32 44 40 21

Table 1. Overview of incoming substances relating to production.

*The large increase in 2018 is due to changed calculation principles.

Table 2. Overview of outgoing substances relating to production.

Incoming substances Unit 1/1 2015 1/1 2016 1/1 2017 1/1 2018 1/1 2019

31/12 2015 31/12 2016 31/12 2017 31/12 2018 31/12 2019

Wastewater and sludge

Wastewater tonnes/year 264,126 311,286 396,232 333,369 451,143

Organic matter measured as chemical oxygen consumption (COD)

tonnes COD/year

3,270 4,129 4,943 5,858 5,416

Organic matter measured as biological oxygen consumption (BI5)

tons BI5/year 1,749 1,675 2,462 27,41 2,635

Nitrogen (including excipients) kg/year 84,495 120,421 82,365 91,072 77,678

Phosphorus (including excipients) kg/year 9,407 10,445 10,222 10,265 10,702

Water consumption

Mains water and untreated water m3/year 254,469 361,181 817,662 721,320 620,887

Collected rainwater m3/year 177,454 205,544 176,470* 103,924* 125,495

Energy

Natural gas m3/year 9,176 14,092 19,449 17,796 10,441

Electricity (including room heating and hot domestic water)

MWh/year 2,444 4,244 4,265 5,251 5,536

Excipients

Iron chloride tonnes/year 67.8 107.2 2.0 54.3 75.8

Defoamer tonnes/year 1.08 15.09 12.6 29.9 24.0

NaOH 27.7 % tonnes/year 700 1,891 896 1,891 104

NaOH 50 % tonnes/year - - 857 1,056 404

75 % phosphoric acid tonnes/year 31.32 34.1 24.9 27.0 16.6

Polymer tonnes TS/year 18.2 21.7 32.6 28.8 40.3

Sulphuric acid (96 %) tonnes/year 14 - - - -

Formic acid tonnes/year 0.1 0.2 3.6 0.1 0.2

External carbon source tonnes/year - - 24 24 -

Aluminium chloride/aluminate tonnes/year 55.3 62.1 66.8 9.0 0.4

Nitric acid tonnes/year 38.4 - 6 - -

Total excipients tonnes/year 926 2,131 1,919 3,120 666


Indicators Unit 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Output, B (removed substance) tonnes 3,265 4,086 4,869 5,754 5,301

A R A R A R A R A Rvolume A/B volume A/B volume A/B volume A/B volume A/B

Energy efficiencyTotal direct energy consumption (MWh)

MWh 2,545 0.78 4,386 1.07 2,455 0.92 5,446 0.95 5,651 1.07

Total consumption of renewable energy

MWh 1,149 0.35 2,165 0.53 1,681 0.66 3,938 0.68 4,152 0.78

Use of materialsAnnual mass flow of material consumption (consumption of electricity and water)

tonnes 926.41 0.28 2,131.45 0.52 1,919 0.39 3,120 0.54 666 0.13

WaterWater consumption m3 254,469 77.93 361,181 88.39 817,662 167.93 721,320 125.37 620,887 117.12Annual waste productionCardboard tonnes 0.82 0.00025 0.51 0.00012 1.01 0.00021 1.3 0.00023 1.28 0.00024 Paper tonnes 0.07 0.00002 0.04 0.00001 0.13 0.00003 0.14 0.00002 3.22 0.00061 Small combustible tonnes 6.4 0.00196 3.71 0.00091 11.890 0.00244 7.18 0.00125 7.69 0.00145 Hazardous waste tonnes - - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - Biosludge for recovery tonnes 3,352 1.03 2,525 0.62 4,277 0.88 4,134 0.72 5,423.02 1.02299BiodiversityArea use, developed area m2 13,241 4.05 14.566 3.56 18,911 3.88 18,911 3.29 18,911 3.57

CO2 tonnes 836 0.256 1,063 0.260 816 0.168 1,085 0.19 1,123 0.12 CH4 kg 340 0.10 424 0.10 384 0.08 525 0.09 554 0.10 N2O kg 13 0.0039 17 0.0042 13 0.0026 16 0.0027 17 0 Greenhouse gas emissions in total (CO2 equivalents)

tonnes 848 0.260 1,080 0.264 829 0.170 1,111 0.19 1,150 0.22

Total annual air emissionsSO2 kg 170 0.052 170 0.042 128 0.026 210 0.037 221 0.042 NOx kg 637 0.195 722 0.177 725 0.149 893 0.155 941 0.178 PM kg 42 0.013 42 0.010 43 0.009 53 0.009 55 0.010

1) Substance = removed volume of COD, nitrogen and phosphorus.

Unit 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

kkWh/kg of substance 1) 0.75 1.04 0.88 0.91 1.04

kWh for aeration/kg of substance 1)

0.41 0.57 0.26 0.27 0.28

kWh/m3 emission 3.51 4.83 3.07 4.09 4.62

Table 3. Overview of environmental indicators relating to production.

Table 4. Electricity consumption for aeration per removed substance unit.

In 2005, the energy consumption was mapped by the consult-ing group COWI A/S. The criteria were the requirements and guidelines for energy management issued by the Danish Energy Agency.

This mapping and the annual environmental mapping were applied to set environmental targets for greenhouse gas emissions as well as for the energy consumption of the plant.

Energy efficiency, measured as kWh consumption per kg of converted substance, is slightly higher in 2019 than in 2018. This may be caused by high sludge concentrations in the process tanks and a higher content of emulsified oil. Both will increase the energy consumption for aeration per kg of converted substance.

Therefore, we will have a bigger focus on the energy consump-tion and will seek to identify energy saving opportunities for the process and the supporting functions.

Emissions. Total annual emissions of greenhouse gases

Energy efficiency and consumption

B: Tonnes of removed substances in treated wastewater stated as tonnes COD+ nitrogen+phosphorus.The emissions originate from the consumption of electricity and natural gas and are calculated on the basis of data from the Danish enterprise energinet.dk in 2018.


Chart 2. Water consumption, annual basis

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

Mains water and untreated water

Surface water

30

28

26

24

22

20

25201 201925202 2019Medium 2015Medium 2017Medium 2018Middel 2019

900.000

800.000

700.000

600.000

500.000

400.000

300.000

200.000

100.000

0

Chart 3. Pipeline plant

Date

Conductivity mS/cm

1 Jan

.

1 Feb

.

1 Mar

.

1 Apr

.

1 May

1 Jun

.

1 Jul

.

1 Aug

.

1 Sep

.

1 Oct

.

1 Nov

.

1 Dec

.


Chart 4. The discharges in relation to the required valuesThe discharges are stated in percent of the required values indicated as annual average values.

Water consumptionChart 2 illustrates the total consumption of surface water and groundwater (mains water + untreated water) where the consumption of mains water and untreated water with related indicators is shown in Table 3.

All rainwater from the paved areas and buildings of the Industrial Park is collected, and, to the extent possible, it is used as process water in the treatment plant where it partly replaces the need to regulate conductivity when adding mains water and untreated groundwater. However, a direct flow of the concentrated wastewater is the best technology available for the wastewater in question because this minimises the consumption of resources for transport. The concentration of contaminating substances (organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus) is on average approx. 10 times higher than in ordinary domestic wastewater.

As it appears from Chart 3, we have increased conductivity, and thus the salt concentration in 2019. This resulted in a lower water consumption, as shown in Table 1. However, the water consump-tion will always vary depending on the saline content led to the tank.

In 2020, we will still focus on increasing the salt concentration measured as conductivity. Moreover, we will also focus on an increased reuse of water, including collected rainwater.

Process optimisation and challenges in 2019From spring to autumn, we have experienced problems with too high values as regards the total phosphorus. Even though the annual requirements have been met, a single month accounted for 3.3 where the annual requirement was 2.25. The source is traced back to 2 customers who may have delivered phosphorus connections which have been more difficult to degrade than usually even though their deliveries are at an expected level.

For periods in September-December, it was difficult to convert COD satisfactorily. DNA

analyses were conducted, and external counsel-lors were involved as well. The problem was only on one line, and therefore, we kept the process going by grafting sludge from the well-functioning line. It turned out later that an insufficient amount of biomass was returned to the process, which was caused by a blocking in the return sludge pipe.

Excipients – use of materialsThe use of excipients and materials is continu-ously optimised in order to ensure the lowest possible consumption to maintain good and stable operations. We refer to Table 1 and Table 3, which illustrate the total consumption of excipients and the related indicators.

It may vary from year to year, depending on the actual types of waste. 2019 was characterised by a much smaller volume of lye, but a higher volume of polymer and iron chloride.

Where it is environmentally responsible, RGS Nordic seeks to replace chemicals and excipients with recycling of waste substances.

Several types of waste received are recycled as they replace the purchase of excipients. This particularly includes used lye and glycolic wastewater.

In general, only excipients approved for this purpose, and which comply with RGS Nordic’s environmental policy and targets, are used.

In Table 3, material recovery is calculated compared to the other key indicators.

Discharge of treated wastewaterWastewater from Stigsnæs Industrial Park and from external suppliers is led to the treatment plant in visible pipes or in new pressure-tested PEH pipes. There is no uncontrolled leakage/ infiltration. The treated wastewater is pumped through a buried PEH pipeline for discharge through 4 diffusers at a water depth of 9 m in the sound Agersø Sound. The treatment plant and discharge are subject to extensive control

measures stipulated in the discharge permit. This permit also sets requirements for docu-mentation of compliance with the stipulated discharge requirements.

Operational control is performed by means of online measurements of critical parameters, and by laboratory analyses two to five times a week concerning relevant chemical parameters.

On a daily basis, flow-proportional 24-hour samples are taken of the discharge. The samples are frozen to preserve them. Chemical analyses are performed once a day, and once a month ecotoxicological tests are performed with two organisms (algae and crustaceans) of the total monthly discharge (total control), just as chemical

analyses are performed as total control at an external laboratory.

Table 5. Reduction percentages

2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

BI5 99.5 99.6 99.7 99.8 99.4

COD (%) 79 96 97 97 96

Nitrogen (%) 89 88 86 88 89

Phosphorus (%) 94 91 83 86 77

Table 2 shows the result of the drainage control indicated as an annual average of the chemical analyses, while Table 5 shows the corresponding reduction percentages.

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

COD BI5 Nitrogen Phosphorus Ammonium + nitrate

Suspended matter

Chromium Nickel

120

100

80

60

40

20

-


Table 6. Transport of wastewater

Production 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

tonnes % tonnes % tonnes % tonnes % tonnes %

Tanker vehicle 35,586 10% 45,998 12% 45,493 10% 46,279 12% 44,675 9%

Ship & pump 228,540 66% 265,285 72% 350,739 79% 287,081 78% 352,909 78%

Pump 83,403 24% 58,495 16% 48,747 11% 35,552 10% 53,559 12%

Total 347,529 100% 369,778 100% 444,979 100% 368,912 100% 451,143 100%

The discharge concentrations of the normal chemical parameters are slightly higher than the year before. However, they still comply with the required values.

Biological sludge for recoveryIn 2019, the biological surplus sludge was still used in incineration plants for electricity or heat production. However, we found a better alternative which does not require addition of lime. This means less transport and no additional admixture.

In 2019, we have invested in a new decanter which is expected to optimise the dry matter by approx. 4 percent. The decanter will be put into service in 2020.

Sludge from the heavy-metal precipitation plantIn 2019, the company did not handle wastewater requiring pre-treatment in the form of heavy-metal precipitation. Other waste534 tonnes of oil waste were sent for recovery. Waste oil and other production waste are dis-posed via municipal reception and collection arrangements. Chemical packaging is taken back by the suppliers. Other waste consists of packaging and office waste. The waste is sorted into three fractions – i.e. cardboard, paper for recycling and other waste which can be incinerated.

Area use – biodiversityThe company’s area use is stated as m2 devel-oped area and specified in Table 3 with the associated key indicators. The area use includes all buildings as well as open and covered reser-voirs for the collection and treatment of water and wastewater. Air emissions In accordance with EMAS III, the company must account for the total annual emissions of green-house gases, specified as tonnes of CO2 equiva-lents, and the total air emissions ofSO2, NOX and PM.

Greenhouse gas emissions measured as CO2 equivalents per kg converted substance is slightly higher than in 2018. This is due to an increased energy consumption for aeration, as previously mentioned, and a larger production of surplus sludge.

When microorganisms break down substances in the wastewater in the biological plant, gaseous compounds are released, mainly in the form of CO2 and nitrogen.

All holding tanks at the plant are covered. There will be short-term odour emissions from covered tanks while they are filled with wastewater, as well as odour emissions from the inlet to the treatment plant.

RGS Nordic – Water Solutions minimises emis-sions to air from transport activities by using return transport from haulage contractors. Attempts are made to try and influence custom-ers’ and suppliers’ choices of transport and conveyors through questionnaires.

Soil contaminationThe wastewater treatment plant features a high safety level in order to avoid contamination of soil. Pipelines are placed in a technical tunnel so that any leaks will be detected immediately, and waste is pumped to the treatment plant for further treatment. Chemical tanks have safety basins, and storage tanks are coated with epoxy, which is inspected and repaired once a year. Any spills from tankers when unloading to recipient tanks will run to a collection well and led from there to the treatment plant.

RGS Nordic holds a liability insurance that covers any costs for cleaning after accidents.

Significant indirect environmental impactsThe significant indirect environmental impacts are determined by mapping the environmental conditions of the wastewater treatment plant compared to the significance criteria.

Suppliers and customersRGS Nordic has always purchased chemicals and excipients from suppliers of approved products with minimal volumes of environmentally haz-ardous substances. Through dialogues with customers as well as suppliers, RGS Nordic has continuously evaluated the substances entering the biological plant in order to ensure that the biological processes are not burdened unneces-

sarily. Moreover, there is focus on how the import of wastewater often replaces excipients in the process.

In connection with the implementation of EMAS II, RGS Nordic has prepared a questionnaire to en-sure knowledge of our customers’ and suppliers’ environmental conditions and practices, and thus the indirect environmental impacts for RGS Nordic. The questionnaires are included in the assessment of our suppliers. There has been good dialogue with both customers and suppliers. This mapping has not changed the choice of suppliers.

External suppliers working at RGS Nordic have received a leaflet to ensure that they know and respect the company’s environmental approval and environmental policy. Furthermore, there are always verbal instructions from the operator on duty or another RGS contact person before the task begins.

Transport of wastewater and wasteRGS Nordic continuously focuses on ensuring that wastewater is transported in the most economic and energy-efficient way.

Besides the internal storage at RGS Nordic, additional storage capacity is leased from Gulfhavn, e.g. in order to accommodate the ever-increasing volumes of sea freight. This is the most energy-efficient way of transporting wastewater and waste over long distances. The percentage of wastewater received by ship is unchanged in 2019. The proportion of wastewater from Danish customers totals approx. 60 %.


OdoursAll wastewater treatment plants may give off odours from time to time. The company has previously sought to minimise odours by covering recipient tanks, holding tanks and bioreactors.

In 2019, there have been four odour complaints, only two of which were odours from the water plant in connection with receiving wastewater. The other two originated from other nearby locations.

The target will always be 0 external complaints concerning odours, and the area around the plant will continuously to be subject to daily odour inspections.

Noise, dust, heat energy and visual impacts There have been no significant adverse effects of this nature from the wastewater treatment plant in 2019, and there have been no complaints from neighbours concerning these impacts.

Accidents with environmental consequencesThere have been no process incidents causing unintended environmental consequences in 2019.

In 2016, the plant was subject to an overall risk assessment, and it was not considered relevant to renew this assessment in 2019.

Discharge of treated wastewaterBoth internal and external controls confirm that RGS Nordic is operated within the framework of the relevant environmental permits and other relevant legislation.

Environmental issues

Preventing and limiting environmental accidentsFor the last 18 financial years, RGS Nordic has prepared an Environmental Report for the wastewater treatment plant, and no serious environmental accidents have occurred.

All employees at the wastewater treatment plant are involved in the company’s day-to-day environmental and health & safety activities as this is a natural and necessary aspect of the work at a plant with few employees treating chemical waste and wastewater.

Semi-annual safety meetings are held for all employees of the department.

The aforementioned factors ensure good pre-vention and limitation of environmental acci-dents, and thus the wastewater treatment plant has not received any mandatory orders or warn-ings from the environmental authorities in 2019.

Contingency plans in the event of an accident RGS Nordic is a modern chapter 5 company with a production facility which meets regulatory requirements on contingency plans.

RGS Nordic annually re-assesses the contingency plans for the wastewater treatment plant in

relation to the development of the company. In 2019, a contingency exercise was conducted in cooperation with the Danish emergency services company Falck. The contingency plan was re-assessed, but it did not result in any significant changes.

Staff information and training concerning environmental issuesIn 2019, the employees at the plant completed external training with an emphasis on the operations of biological plants, sludge treat-ment, waterworks operations and management. The management participates in experience- sharing groups with employees from other treatment plants. Moreover, 3-4 follow-up meetings concerning environmental issues are held every year focusing on the following fixed items on the agenda:• Continuous follow-up • Non-conformity and corrective actions • Follow-up on environmental targets • Proposals for environmental improvements.

In the training of new employees, the following items are included:• Introduction to the system and safety • Training

Environmental accidents


RGS Nordic has always worked in accordance with the basic principle that companies at Stigsnæs Industrial Park must make an active effort to protect the environment in a way that both society and companies which are customers of RGS Nordic have confidence in the work performed by the company.

RGS Nordic has thus from the very beginning worked to ensure the establishment of an eco-friendly Industrial Park with all permits and facilities needed to comply with the Danish environmental legislation.

For several years, RGS Nordic has presented green accounts, and in the financial year 1999/2000, based on a preliminary environmen-tal review and our environmental management system, the company’s wastewater treatment plant was certified in accordance with ISO 14.001 as well as the EMAS Regulation.

In 2004, the management system of the waste-water treatment plant was merged with RGS Nordic’s other management systems.

In 2007-2008, a separate management system was prepared for RGS Nordic – Water Solutions.

In 2010, EMAS III was incorporated into the management system.

In 2012, the wastewater laboratory’s DANAK accreditation in accordance with ISO 17.025 was incorporated into the management system. Discontinued in 2019.

In 2015, RGS Nordic – Water Solutions became part of RGS Nordic again, with a separate management system for environment and quality, as the Department for Water Solutions.

In 2017/2018, the new annexes of 28 August 2017 from EMAS III were incorporated into the management system.

Management system

The company has a quality, environmental and health & safety policy describing its principles concerning customers, quality and environment. The company sets environmental targets and objectives on the basis of these policies and other significant circumstances. Based on the targets, a number of action plans are adopted for the areas concerned. At appropriate intervals, the management evaluates the targets and action plans as well as other environmental aspects of the organisation’s activities.

The policies undergo an annual review, and based on previous evaluations, the targets and objectives for the coming period are determined.

RGS Nordic’s management system consists of key processes and support processes. The key processes include or refer to work descriptions which are necessary in order to comply with the management’s principles for the operation of the certified areas.

The support processes are procedures for the management system which describe guidelines for the compliance with the management’s principles.

System structure


Target Achieved Remarks

To explore the opportunities to use more surface water instead of untreated water.

YesTarget: To explore the opportunities – Introductory meetings have been held, and it was decided to expand to a potential cooperation with several companies in the area of Stigsnæs/Skælskør. We are still working on this in 2020.

To implement SCOT (Sludge Compliance Optimisation and Traceability).

No

Target: The project has been adopted and initiated. Status: The project is currently dropped. Among other things, because of the implementation of a more sustainable alternative to the current treatment (burning and energy utilisation).

To increase conductivity in the plant from 23.6 to 25 mS/cm – reduce water consumption.

YesTarget: We started to gradually increase conductivity in the new line. This did not give any immediate rise to visible or measurable problems in the plant. By the end of the year, we then decided to include the old line as well.

Climate accounts for water treatment – we have documented climate accounts for water treatment at Stigsnæs.

Yes

Target: In collaboration with an external consultant, the Environmental Department has prepared climate accounts for water. We have set it up in a way that we, every year, can enter the consumption values from the previous year and have a new estimate of the carbon footprint for the year.

The project for the receipt of Class 1 products has been carried out. Partly Target: C80 is ready to receive Class 1 products. The project is in progress

and is expected to be completed in 2020.

New storage tanks – in service. YesTarget: 3110 was reinforced with additional casting on the outside and the inside (approx. 1/4 of the tank). All 4 tanks had an additional reinforcement, and the defect concerning the pressure relief zones was rectified.

Environmental objectives and targets for 2019

Health & safety objectives and targets for 2019Target Achieved Remarks

Safety walks – JCOP, PLPE, PTES, JENI, PKRI, MHAN, CLCH – the overall target is min. 1 per month with 1 operator/laboratory technician.

Yes Target: After a joint introductory day in May, 13 safety walks were completed in 2019.

“Close to” observations – systema-tised – min. 1 per person per month. No

Target: Observations have been registered under deviations. However, there are some uncertainties as regards the difference between safety walks and “close to” observations as they are often identical. If we count safety walks and registrations as regards safety under deviations, we will not achieve the set target – 1 per person per month.

Monitor and publish accident absence statistics for Water Solutions. No

Target: An information screen has been approved for the lab and the projection room to illustrate the accident absence statistics etc. This has not been completed, however.


TOC max. 30 mg/l, annual average. No

Target: We have been focusing on TOC, but we did not manage to keep it under 30 mg/l. In particular, we had problems by the end of the year as regards stable operations of the old line. During the year, we were informed that the customer, who expected a requirement of 30 mg/l, now had a requirement of 50 mg/l. Thus, we still meet the customer’s requirements. Our own approval is currently under revision, and we do not know our final value yet.

Increased focus on the stability of lab equipment – procedure for internal service on “the seal”.

NoTarget: A described procedure for internal service on ”the seal”. The procedure is in preparation but is not finished yet. It is expected to be finished during the spring of 2020.

Quality objectives and targets for 2019


Focus on water consumption. Explore the opportunities to use more surface water instead of untreated water – in 2020, it will be decided which project(s) it is realistic to proceed with.

Energy optimisation focusing on sustainability. The target is to prepare a prioritised list of projects which either lead to a more sustainable energy consump-tion and/or reduce the consumption.

Focus on water consumption/capacity.Increase conductivity in the plant from 25-27 mS/cm.

In 2020, we will work on a strategic plan for our targets as regards sustainability and greenhouse gases – the target is an overall strategic plan.

Environmental objectives and targets for 2020

Health & safety objectives and targets for 2020Target Achieved Remarks

Improve the safety culture• Safety walks – min. 24 per year.• ”Well seen” cards.• Start morning and lab meetings

with safety.

Improve job satisfaction for employees.


Inhouse measurement of oil in water and water in oil.

Mass balance project – improved documentation of our performance• Validation of PAH analyses on GC.• Ensure quality of incoming substances – mapping the flow from customer to storage.

• Assess opportunities and benefits of more inhouse analyses, e.g. hydrocarbons, phenols, PCB.

Quality objectives and targets for 2020


RGS Nordic’s target with the environmental management system is to keep focus on the environment in day-to-day operations. This will be achieved by further development of the environmental management system through continuous dialogues with the employees concerning the environment and the function of the system.

In 2004, the management system for the waste-water treatment plant was merged with RGS Nordic’s management system for the company’s other plants, and in 2007-2008, an independent management system for RGS Nordic – Water Solutions was established.

In 2019, it was decided to close down the accreditation of certain laboratory analyses in accordance with ISO 17.025.

In 2017, the department for Water Solutions became part of RGS Nordic’s CSR certification in accordance with ISO 49.001.

The Environmental Report is no longer distributed to all customers and suppliers, but it can be downloaded from the company’s website and is available in paper format, if requested.

In future, the system will serve as an inspiration to employees so that new ideas and opportunities, which are not necessarily directly related to day-to-day operations, are continuously sought to be incorporated in the system for the benefit of the environment, the department’s employees, customers and suppliers.

Development of the environmental management system

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