Map Ta Phut industrial estate beats targets

Business News - Thursday December 20, 2007

NVIRONMENT INDUSTRIAL EMISSIONS

Map Ta Phut industrial estate beats targets

ARANEE JAIIMSIN

Greenhouse gas emissions in the Map Ta Phut industrial have been reduced by 130% above the original target, thanks to collaboration between state agencies, industrial plants and local communities. Industry Minister Kosit Panpiemras said the effort involved a working group of the Industrial Works Department, the industrial plants in the area and local villagers.

The group exceeded its emission reductions target by 130% with nitrogen oxide (NOX) declining by 6,600 tonnes in nine months, against a target of 2,879 tonnes per year.

Mr Kosit added that the group had repaired leaks in 92 out of 100 points in the production process, which were the main sources of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. The remaining eight spots would be finished in the first quarter of next year.

Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions are expected to achieve the targeted reduction of 9,920 tonnes by March and have already fallen by nearly 7,000 tonnes.

Waste water was projected to be reduced by 461,564.3 tonnes per year and 408,171.8 tonnes per year have been eliminated so far, said Mr Kosit.

However, industrial waste water was cut by just 1.72 million cubic metres, far below its target of 4.60 million cubic metres, he said.

Mr Kosit said that while large corporations were committed to collaborating in the programme, small and medium-sized factories hat yet to commit to come on board.

Updated results for areas outside Map Ta Phut suggest that 226 VOC leak points have been fixed from a total of 272, with NOX emission was reduced by 203 tonnes a year from the target of 2,422.6 tonnes per year. SO2 emission reductions are targeted at 6,929.7 tonnes a year but only 931.15 tonnes were achieved.

Industrial waste water has been reduced by 858,349 cubic metres so far, and companies are working toward the goal of cutting 1.64 million cubic metres per year.Mr Kosit said the working group expected to meet its goals in 2012 in line with the five-year pollution action plan of the National Environment Committee from 2007 to 2012.

''I see no one would object to the action plan as it effectively helps reduce pollution, but allows business to expand,'' said Mr Kosit.

Under the committee's guidelines, manufacturers must reduce emissions by agreed targets before starting new expansion, and new companies would face strict curbs on greenhouse gases.

Recently, the Industrial Works Department was granted a budget of 20 million baht to set up a pollution auditing and monitoring centre.

Bangkok Post