Descrizione 1
Riccardo De Lauretis
The indicator relates the main overall atmospheric emissions generated by production processes in the paper industry to the total amount of paper produced, in order to assess the specific emissions generated. Compared to the previous year, the specific emissions of all pollutants remained stable in 2020, with the exception of sulphur oxides emissions, which increased by 6.2%. Compared to 1990, however, there was a decrease of 98.8% in sulphur oxides, 99.8% in NMVOCs, and more moderate decreases in nitrogen oxides (-2.6%) and PM10 (-8.5%).
The indicator relates the main overall atmospheric emissions generated by production processes in the paper industry to the total amount of paper produced. The atmospheric pollutants monitored are: SOx (sulphur oxides); NOx (nitrogen oxides); NMVOCs (Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compounds) and PM10 (particulate matter). The emissions used are calculated using actual emission data from a highly representative sample, both in terms of the number of plants considered and the amount of paper produced. Other data represent the overall situation of the Italian paper industry.
The purpose is to assess the specific emissions generated by the production of a unit of product in the paper industry.
The paper sector falls within the industrial activities categories covered by Directive 96/61/EC of 24 September 1996 (IPPC Directive). This Directive was repealed by Directive 2010/75/EU, transposed into Italian law by Legislative Decree No. 46 of 4 March 2014, which amended Legislative Decree 152/06 and subsequent amendments. The legislation sets out the obligations for each industrial sector in terms of pollution prevention and reduction, including through the adoption of Best Available Techniques (BATs). It also prescribes the exchange of information within the European Community, including emissions data for activities subject to Integrated Environmental Authorization (AIA).
Descrizione 2
Rapporto ISPRA 361/2022 - ”Italian Emission Inventory, 1990-2020. Informative Inventory report 2022”
Qualificazione dati
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," as well as in the emission data tables by category officially submitted by Italy within the framework of the UNECE/CLRTAP Convention.
National
1990-2020
Qualificazione indicatore
Ratio between atmospheric emissions estimated by ISPRA within the national air emissions inventory and the production data of the paper industry that result in air emissions.
In 2020, the specific emissions of the pollutants considered per tonne of paper produced remained practically unchanged compared to 2019, with the exception of sulphur oxide emissions, which increased by 6.2%. In 2020, the specific emissions of SOx, NOx, NMVOCs, and PM10 were respectively: 10.80; 460.00; 0.01 and 49.00 g/t.
From 1990 to 2020, there was a general decrease in specific emissions of all observed pollutants per tonne of paper produced, albeit with varying magnitudes: significant for SOx (-98.8%) and NMVOCs (-99.8%), moderate for PM10 (-8.5%), and negligible for NOx (-2.6%). While the reduction in SOx emissions was gradual over time, the reductions in NMVOCs and PM10 were concentrated in the 1990–2010 period and then stabilized at constant levels until 2020. Only NOx emissions remained virtually unchanged throughout the period, consistently around an average of 463 g/t.
Dati
Table 1: Specific Emissions in the Paper Industry
ISPRA elaboration based on data from ISPRA, ISTAT, and Industry Associations
Figure 1: Specific Emissions of SOx and NOx in the Paper Industry
ISPRA elaboration based on data from ISPRA, ISTAT, and Industry Associations
Figure 2: Specific Emissions of NMVOCs in the Paper Industry
ISPRA elaboration based on data from ISPRA, ISTAT, and Industry Associations
Figure 3: Specific Emissions of PM10 in the Paper Industry
ISPRA elaboration based on data from ISPRA, ISTAT, and Industry Associations
Data analysis shows a significant reduction in SOx, NMVOCs, and PM10 emission values compared to 1990, with stabilization in recent years (see Figures 1, 2, and 3). Only NOx emissions remained essentially unchanged during the period under review (see Figure 1). The annual trend of emissions is determined, for each pollutant, by the trend of productions typically emitting those substances.