Environmentally responsible

Reza Afshin, NPC's Director of Production Control talked to NPC News Bulletin about environmental activities in NPC.


Q. Can you describe, in a nutshell, the status of environmental protection in the NPC's complexes?

A. NPC occupies a foremost position in undertaking environmental protection programs in the country's industry, and has launched numerous activities in this respect. As a result, environmental concerns have become an integral part of the development process within NPC so much so that protection and preservation of environment have become an indivisible part of our production line without which production process is viewed as incomplete.


Q. What policies have you outlined to protect the environment and to reduce pollution?

A. We have defined a number of environmental goals and priorities. They include minimizing waste, monitoring and controlling atmospheric pollutants, creating solid waste management system with a focus on recycling the valuable materials, replacing ozone depleting substances like CFCs and halones with ozone friendly substances, establishing environment management system and receiving ISO 14001 certificates, reducing waste of energy and resources particularly cutting water consumption and, last but not least, expanding green space. These goals are on the environmental agenda of all the NPC's complexes. We stick to the principle that "Waste is not Waste". We, therefore, attempt to classify, treat and reuse all the wastes, to reduce production costs and to be careful and frugal with consuming natural resources.



Q. What environmental principles have been defined for the NPC's developmental projects?

A. Environmental issues in the NPC's projects will be dealt with in the three phases of process selection, site selection and construction & commissioning. In the phase of process selection, priority is given to projects that are compatible with environmental standards. The projects are given the green light only after techno-economic and environmental studies prove feasible. The environmental studies encompass eco-design and eco-efficiency analyses. Those projects will be approved that have the least possible adverse impact on the environment and consume less water, energy and other required natural resources. The site of the complex will be selected only after the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is undertaken and its results are approved by the Environmental Protection Department. During construction and prior to commissioning, the projects' environmental control systems such as sewage treatment and stacks emission treatment are constructed simultaneously to make the projects as much waste-free as possible.


Q. What measures have so far been taken at the operative complexes?

A. Environmental survey has been conducted at all of the NPC's complexes. Moreover, various projects are being executed to raise the environmental standards at the complexes to the level determined by the Environmental Protection Department. Of the NPC's nine running complexes, seven are equipped with wastewater treatment system. In Arak, Tabriz and Esfahan complexes the quality of the treated effluents is so high that it is reused in the process. These three facilities plus Khorasan complex have obtained ISO 14001, while Bandar Imam Complex will obtain the same certificate in the near future. The remaining complexes are also making the necessary preparations to get the certificate.


Q. What other environmental achievements have you had so far?

A. It is a source of great pride for us that five out of the NPC's nine complexes, in Esfahan, Arak, Khorasan, Tabriz and Shiraz were selected as winners of the Green Industry Award. The Environmental Protection Department chooses the award-winners for their environmental achievements. Furthermore, simultaneous with the International Environment Day, the first National Award for Environment Protection was given to NPC President in recognition of the efforts that NPC has made in protecting and preserving the environment.


Q. What is your assessment of the status of the NPC's environmental records at the end of the third development plan (2000-05)?

A. According to our plans, we expect that all of our complexes will get the ISO 14001 certificate within two years from now. In addition, discharges, in all of the complexes will be treated and reused. Energy loss as well as air and noise pollution will be reduced to the minimum. Green space will be increased considerably. We are determined to establish the validity of the contention that the petrochemical industry is not destructive to but rather supportive of the environment.