Since its publication in December 2022, the “WGC BREF“, intended for Common Waste Gas Management and Treatment Systems in the Chemical Sector(WGC), has marked a turning point in European environmental regulation. Unlike the vertical BREFs focused on specific processes, this horizontal document seeks to unify criteria for dealing with atmospheric atmospheric emissions emissions in a cross-cutting manner in the chemical industry.
Specific requirements and intensive monitoring in the WGC BREF
In 2023, the operators submitted an environmental permit reconsideration file that included verification of compliance with best available techniques(BAT) and a soil baseline report. As the deadline approaches, the focus is on continuous monitoring of pollutants such as PM10, PM2.5, TVOC, NOx, SO₂ and CO, at any emission point that exceeds established flow thresholds.
A strategic change introduced by the WGC BREF is the focus on diffuse emissions, which are often underestimated. These non-channel sources have been shown to have a significant weight in the total pollutant load. For example, it has been reported that 83% of non-methane volatile organic compounds(NMVOCs) come from this type of emissions.
Revisions to the Industrial Emissions Directive(IED 2.0), implemented in 2024, have lowered the emission limit values considerably. Although the WGC BREF was not directly modified, installations are now expected to align with the lower value of the BAT-allowable emission range. This implies, for example, reducing TVOCs by up to 1 mg/m³.
Operators must justify any inability to comply based on evidence. Moreover, it is not enough to stay within the range: it is required to aim for the most stringent level. This condition has initiated a series of investments in more accurate monitoring technologies and more efficient mitigation systems.
Compliance with the WGC BREF also opens doors to operational improvements. After detecting excess emissions, it helps to identify process inefficiencies, optimize energy use and reduce operating costs. In addition, it strengthens companies’ sustainability positioning, a key factor in the face of increasingly demanding investors and markets in terms of ESG criteria.
The year 2026 will mark a turning point. Companies in the chemical sector must ensure that their compliance strategies are fully implemented.
Source and photo: Envea