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Screening categories and rationale for classification
The
construction and operation of a new chipboard production facility showed that
the planned chipboard facility is typically associated with limited direct
environmental, health and safety issues, which can be readily identified and
assessed as well as efficiently mitigated with modern technology and project
design. The project is located inside an industrial zone and surrounded by
other industrial properties, that the distance to the closest permanent
residential building is approximately 1.5 km and that there are no known
environmentally valuable or sensitive areas in the vicinity of the site. The
new facility will introduce state-of-the-art technology. Based on the above,
the EBRD has classified the project B/0, requiring an Environmental Analysis.
Information reviewed during the environmental appraisal
The
Environmental Analysis has been prepared in accordance with the EBRD's
requirements by independent experts. Information contained in the report is
based on the technical-economic assessment of the investment (TEO) and
assessment of impacts on the environment (OVOS) prepared in accordance with
the requirements of the Russian law, an environmental site assessment, a field
survey of the project area and its surroundings, laboratory investigations as
well as discussions with local authorities. Further assessment of the planned
facility’s compliance with the Best Available Techniques (BAT) used in
European Union was provided by Pfleiderer's internal experts.
Key environmental issues and mitigation
The investigations
showed that the Project has been structured to meet Russian environmental,
health and safety (EHS) requirements and EU environmental standards, including
EU BAT standards for chip/particleboard manufacture, and that the direct
environmental, health and safety impacts during the construction and the
operation of the new particleboard plant will be insignificant and efficiently
mitigated.
Geological and hydrological site investigations carried out prior to starting
the construction did not identify any potential contamination and showed that
the site is suitable for the project. There are no specific requirements for
the use or disposal of the soil excavated from the site.
The new plant will introduce state-of-the-art technology and environmental
protection measures have been fully incorporated in the project design. Dust
and formaldehyde emissions to the atmosphere are below BAT emissions standards
for particleboard manufacturing. All industrial and cooling water will be
circulated in closed loops. Consequently, no industrial wastewater will be
discharged. Fresh water is needed only to make up for the evaporation losses.
Minor amount of household wastewater (50 m3/d) will be discharged to the
municipal sewage network. Rain and storm water is collected, purified in
sedimentation tanks and oil separators and discharged to the river Pit’ba.
Bark and other wood wastes are used as a fuel for the plants heating and steam
generation in addition to natural gas. Small amounts of waste oils and other
hazardous waste will be collected by a licensed waste management company.
The particleboard products will be of classification E1, which can be safely
used without causing elevated concentrations of formaldehyde in indoor air.
Wood procurement
The Sawmill will use up to 600,000 m3/a, of
round wood. A substantial part of that will consist of low grade round wood,
which have little or no commercial value and which is currently mainly
disposed of. In addition, saw dust and sawmill residues will be used reducing
the amount of round wood needed. To mitigate the adverse impact of the wood
procurement and to ensure the wood is of legal origin, the Company will use
approved wood suppliers only. To support the selection of the wood suppliers,
the Company commissioned an independent study on the legality of harvesting
operations in Novgorod region. The Company is committed, as required by the
Bank, to adopt and implement wood procurement procedures that are based on
principles of sustainable forestry, ensuring that:
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the wood does not originate from statutory protected forests, forest areas
included in nature conservation programmes or sites which have been notified
by the authorities to be excluded from felling;
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the origin of the wood is monitored;
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suppliers operate according to the principles of sustainable development, in
compliance with the legislation currently in force and under the supervision
of state authorities; and
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the biodiversity and the functions of the forest ecosystem are maintained in
accordance with internationally and nationally approved principles.
OOO Pfleiderer has obtained an Ecological responsibility certification in
accordance with standard SD 15-01-2004 from Lestest in April 2005.
Disclosure of information and consultation
In accordance with
Russian law, the project has been subject of formal public disclosure and
public consultation prior to obtaining the construction permit. The public
meeting nearby the project site was attended by 140 members of public, which
expressed their general support to the project. One objection was recorded. In
the context of EBRD’s potential participation in the project, the Company
released locally a summary similar to this describing the relevant
environmental issues associated with the project and the mitigation measures.
Monitoring
The Company will systematically monitor and report
its environmental and health and safety impacts to ensure it complies with
Russian and EU environmental standards. The EBRD will evaluate the project's
compliance with the applicable environmental and social requirements during
the lifetime of the project by reviewing annual environmental reports (AERs)
prepared for the project.
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