Summary

Decision (EU) 2020/2009 established best available techniques conclusions (BATC) for permitted installations that undertake surface treatment with organic solvents. Mandatory minimum requirements are imposed on the environmental performance of these installations.

Authorities are required to update applicable permit conditions in line with this Decision by 9 December 2024.

Best available techniques (BAT) specified include BAT-AELs (BAT Associated Emission Levels) for specified pollutants for emission to air and water.

Scope                                                   

BATC stated apply to organisations undertaking:

1. Surface treatment of substances, objects or products using organic solvents: in particular for dressing, printing, coating, degreasing, waterproofing, sizing, painting, cleaning or impregnating, with an organic solvent consumption capacity of more than 150 kg per hour or more than 200 tonnes per year.
2. Preservation of wood and wood products with chemicals with a production capacity exceeding 75 m3 per day, other than exclusively treating against sapstain.
3. Independently operated treatment of waste water not covered by the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive 91/271/EEC, provided that the main pollutant load originates from either points 1. or 2. above.

Duties

The Decision specifies duties and the corresponding techniques to reduce the environmental impact of installations. 53 BAT points are applied, concerning the following topics:

• Environmental management and monitoring;
• Diffuse and channelled emissions to air and monitoring;
• Selection, storage and use of raw materials and resource efficiency;
• Coating application, drying/curing and cleaning;
• Solvent management planning and monitoring;
• Emissions to air and monitoring;
• Water use and wastewater generation;
• Emissions to water and monitoring;
• Management of wastes and residues;
• Controlling noise and odour.
• Emissions to soil and groundwater; and
• Improving energy efficiency and energy management.

Specific BAT points are applied to individual industrial processes subject to the Decision, including the coating of vehicles or aircraft, coil coating, manufacturing adhesive tapes, coating or printing metal packaging or wood and the preservation of wood products.

Derogations

Derogations from BATC will only be granted where costs associated with the revised emissions limits disproportionately outweigh the respective environmental benefits. 

Excluded Activities

The Decision does not apply to the following operations:

• Surface treatment of substances, objects or products using organic solvents for:
  • Waterproofing of textiles by means other than a solvent-based continuous film;
  • Printing, sizing and impregnation of textiles;
  • Lamination of wood-based panels;
  • Rubber conversion;
  • Manufacturing coating mixtures, varnishes, paints, inks, semiconductors, adhesives or pharmaceuticals; or
  • On-site combustion plants, unless hot gases generated are used for direct contact heating, drying or other treatment of objects or materials.
• Preservation of wood and wood products by or for:
  • Chemical modification and hydrophobisation;
  • Sapstain treatment;
  • Ammonia treatment; and
  • Associated on-site combustion plants.

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