Air and Soil

We want to further reduce emissions to air from our production, prevent waste and protect the soil. We have set ourselves standards for doing so in global directives. If no recovery options are available for waste, we dispose of it in a proper and environmentally responsible manner.

The graphic depicts the different stations along the value chain. The topics in this chapter address the station shown in dark blue. (here: BASF, Customers) (graphic)

Strategy

  • Regular monitoring of emissions to air
  • Professional disposal of hazardous waste

Regular monitoring of our emissions to air is a part of environmental management at BASF. Aside from greenhouse gases, we also measure emissions of other pollutants into the atmosphere. Our reporting does not take into account air pollutant emissions from oil and gas operations due to their substantial fluctuation during exploration phases.

Our Raw Material Verbund helps us prevent or reduce waste. We regularly carry out audits to inspect external waste disposal companies to ensure that waste is properly disposed of. In this way, we also contribute to preventive soil protection and keep today’s waste from becoming tomorrow’s contamination.

If soil and groundwater contamination occurs at active or former BASF sites, proper remediation measures are reviewed based on prevailing legal and current technical standards, and undertaken as necessary.

Emissions to air

  • Emissions at prior-year level

Absolute emissions of air pollutants from our chemical plants amounted to 25,787 metric tons in 2018. Emissions of ozone-depleting substances as defined by the Montreal Protocol totaled 19 metric tons in 2018 (2017: 23 metric tons). Emissions of heavy metals in 2018 amounted to 2 metric tons (2017: 2 metric tons1).

Our product portfolio contains a variety of catalysts used in the automotive sector and in industry to reduce the emission of air pollutants.

1 The 2017 figure has been adjusted due to updated data.

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Emissions to air
Air pollutants from BASF operations excluding the oil and gas business (Metric tons)

 

2018

2017

1

The 2017 figure has been adjusted due to updated data.

CO (carbon monoxide)

 

3,627

3,644

NOX (total nitrogen oxides)

 

10,712

11,205

NMVOC (nonmethane volatile organic compounds)

 

5,022

4,727

SOX (total sulfur oxides)

 

1,825

1,753

Dust1

 

2,344

2,354

NH3 (ammonia) and other inorganic substances

 

2,257

2,170

Total

 

25,787

25,853

Management of waste and contaminated sites

  • Total waste volume slightly higher
  • Systematic management of contaminated sites

We aim to avoid waste as far as possible. If waste is unavoidable, we review the options for recycling or energy recovery to close materials cycles, using BASF’s existing Verbund structures for efficient waste management. Total waste volume amounted to 2.31 million metric tons in 2018 (+9.0%).

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Waste generation in the BASF Group (Million metric tons)

 

 

2018

2017

1

Comprises all production waste and hazardous waste from construction activities

2

The classification of waste into hazardous and nonhazardous waste is performed according to local regulations.

Total waste generation1

 

2.31

2.12

of which from oil and gas exploration

 

0.12

0.10

Waste recovered

 

0.89

0.79

Recycled

 

0.36

0.27

Thermally recovered

 

0.53

0.52

Waste disposed of

 

1.42

1.34

In underground landfills

 

0.20

0.17

In surface landfills

 

0.46

0.39

Through incineration

 

0.76

0.77

Classification of waste for disposal2

 

 

 

Nonhazardous waste

 

0.44

0.47

Hazardous waste

 

0.98

0.87

Transported hazardous waste

 

0.29

0.23

We set out global standards for managing contaminated sites. A worldwide network of experts ensures their proper implementation. We develop remediation solutions that combine nature conservation, climate protection concerns, costs and social responsibility. This means making customized decisions on a case-by-case basis, founded on the legal framework and current technological possibilities.

Relevant sites are documented in a contaminated site database. Ongoing remediation work around the world continued on schedule and planning was concluded on future remediation projects.

For more information on provisions for environmental protection, see the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements:
Other operating expenses
Other provisions