SPECIFIC EMISSIONS FROM PRODUCTION PROCESSES IN THE NON-METALLIC MINERAL INDUSTRY

    Descrizione 1
    Update date
    Authors

    Riccardo De Lauretis

    Abstract
    Immagine
    Abstract

    The indicator relates the total atmospheric emissions generated by the production processes of the non-metallic mineral industry sector to the total quantities produced, in order to assess the specific emissions associated with the production of one unit of product. In 2020, compared to 2019, the specific emissions of all substances considered decreased, except for NMVOCs, which showed a slight increase.

    Description

    The indicator relates total emissions of air pollutants generated by the production processes of the non-metallic mineral industry (cement, lime, glass, bitumen/asphalt) to total quantities produced. The atmospheric pollutants observed are: SOx (sulphur oxides); NOx (nitrogen oxides); NMVOCs (Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds); PM10 (particulate matter) and CO₂ (carbon dioxide).
    The emissions used in the indicator calculation are estimated through appropriate methodologies in line with EMEP/EEA guidelines. The annual update of emissions involves revising the entire time series based on improved information and the most recent methodological developments. This review process may lead to significant variations in the historical data presented. Given the level of aggregation chosen, the indicator provides information on the specific emissions of the entire sector rather than of individual production processes.

    Purpose

    The purpose is to evaluate the specific emissions generated by the production of a unit of product in the non-metallic mineral industry.

    Policy relevance and utility for users
    It is of national scope or it is applicable to environmental issues at the regional level but of national relevance.
    It can describe the trend without necessarily evaluating it.
    It is simple and easy to interpret.
    It is sensitive to changes occurring in the environment and/or in human activities
    It provides a representative picture of environmental conditions, environmental pressures, and societal responses
    It provides a basis for international comparisons.
    Analytical soundness
    Be based on international standards and international consensus about its validity;
    Be theoretically well founded in technical and scientific terms
    Presents reliability and validity of measurement and data collection methods
    Temporal comparability
    Spatial comparability
    Measurability (data)
    Adequately documented and of known quality
    Updated at regular intervals in accordance with reliable procedures
    Readily available or made available at a reasonable cost/benefit ratio
    An “adequate” spatial coverage
    An “appropriate” temporal coverage
    Main regulatory references and objectives

    Specific environmental emissions in the industrial sector are regulated by Directive 2010/75/EU of 24 November 2010, transposed into Italian law by Legislative Decree no. 46 of 4 March 2014, which amended Legislative Decree 152/06 and subsequent amendments. This legislation defines, for each industrial sector, the obligations to be met in terms of pollution prevention and reduction, also through the adoption of Best Available Techniques (BATs).
    It also requires the exchange of information within the European Community, including emissions data for activities subject to Integrated Environmental Authorization (IEA).

    DPSIR
    Pressure
    Indicator type
    Efficiency (C)
    References

    Rapporto ISPRA 361/2022 - Italian Emission Inventory, 1990-2020. Informative Inventory report 2022.

    Frequenza di rilevazione dei dati
    Annuale
    Fonte dei dati
    Associazioni di categoria
    ISPRA
    ISTAT (Istituto Nazionale di Statistica)
    Data availabilty

    The activity data and emissions are documented in the National Air Emissions Inventory, specifically in the "ISPRA Report 361/2022, Italian Emission Inventory, 1990–2020. Informative Inventory Report 2022", and in the emission data tables by category officially submitted by Italy under the UNECE/CLRTAP Convention.

    Spatial coverage

    National

    Time coverage

    1990-2020

    Processing methodology

    Ratio between atmospheric emissions estimated by ISPRA in the context of the National Air Emissions Inventory and the production of non-metallic mineral industry that generates air emissions.

    Update frequency
    Year
    Qualità dell'informazione

    The indicator expresses the average polluting potential of a unit of product. The reliability of sources, completeness, and extent of the time series make the indicator particularly accurate. The consistent time series and use of the same data collection methodologies ensure excellent comparability over time and space.

    State
    Medium
    Trend
    Undefinable
    State assessment/description

    In 2020, compared to 2019, the specific emissions of all substances considered—except for NMVOCs—decreased. In particular SOx emissions (322.47 g/t) decreased by 16.7%, NOx emissions (493.92 g/t) by 11.2%, PM10 emissions (193.95 g/t) by 5.5%, CO₂ emissions (346.25 kg/t) by 8.3%. NMVOC emissions (166.65 g/t) increased by 4.5%.

    Trend assessment/description

    From 1990 to 2020, there is a general reduction in pollutants, with the exception of NMVOCs (+27.9%), which show an increasing trend throughout the historical series. Specifically, the decrease was 58.2% for SOx, 66.3% for NOx, 25.1% for PM10, 31.7% for CO₂. While the trends for SOx, NOx, and PM10 can be defined as positive, the trend for NMVOCs is negative, so the trend associated with the indicator, as a whole, is “not definable.”

    Comments

    Analysis of the historical series highlights a significant reduction in specific emissions values since 1990 for all substances considered, except for NMVOCs, which are increasing (see Table 1 and Figures 1 and 2).
    For SOx and NOx, the trend in specific emissions has been steadily decreasing. For PM10, the reduction occurred primarily between 1990 and 2010 while from 2011 to 2018, it remained relatively stable, with a further decrease starting in 2019.
    In the case of NMVOCs, the specific emission remained generally stable between 1990 and 2012, while in the following years it shows a marked increase.
    The annual trend of emissions for each pollutant is determined by the production trends of the respective emitting processes.

    Data
    Headline

    Table 1: Specific emissions in the non-metallic minerals industry.

    Data source

    ISPRA elaboration on data from ISPRA, ISTAT and Trade Associations.

    Thumbnail
    Headline

    Figure 1: Specific emissions of SOx, NOx, NMVOC and PM10 in the non-metallic minerals industry.

    Data source

    ISPRA elaboration on data from ISPRA, ISTAT and Trade Associations.

    Thumbnail
    Headline

    Figure 2: Specific CO2 emissions in the non-metallic minerals industry.

    Data source

    ISPRA elaboration on data from ISPRA, ISTAT and Trade Associations.

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