Need for a safe solution
Indaver destroys PFAS-containing waste in its rotary kiln incinerators at the Antwerp right bank site. These wastes are released during the production of PFAS for application in numerous consumer goods. PFAS has been used for decades to protect goods from grease and dust or make them water-resistant. PFAS will therefore continue to be released into our society for a long(er) time, so there is a need for a safe and sustainable solution to tackle this problem, both now and in the future. Indaver offers exactly the safe solution that Flanders and our society needs to destroy PFAS-containing waste.
Multiple sources of PFOS pollution
PFAS is widespread in Flanders. A no regret zone has today been established around the 3M production site in a radius of 10 km. Indaver and some nearby land in the municipality of Stabroek are also in this no regret zone. There are several PFAS sources - historical or otherwise - from industrial or extinguishing activities in the vicinity of Indaver that contribute to the background values measured in this region. Indaver can demonstrate with numerous measurement results and studies that its operations are conducted in a safe manner with the utmost care for the environment. Indaver's contribution to the environment is extremely limited.
A question on PFAS pollution in Stabroek was raised at the Environment, Nature, Spatial Planning and Energy Committee on 7 May 2024. To this, Minister Zuhal Demir replied that especially fire stations and fire brigade practice areas where firefighting foam has been used have a high probability of PFOS soil contamination. The minister also indicated that PFAS contamination is mostly a diffuse contamination. She pointed to the fact that more than 30 pesticides were classified as PFAS and many animal feeds also contain PFAS. She confirmed that there were no signs pointing towards Indaver. The minister also indicated that Indaver must demonstrate with independent experts that the emissions to the environment are acceptable. She confirmed that the expert reports show that, as far as measurable PFAS are concerned (e.g. PFOS), emissions do not pose an immediate risk.
Indaver ensures destruction of PFAS molecules
Indaver destroys PFAS-containing waste at high temperatures of over 1050°C in its rotary kilns. This technology is the Best Available Technology for this type of waste and is also prescribed by legislation. Thanks to the high temperature, long residence time in the furnace and turbulence, the PFAS is broken down and destroyed. Indaver makes its capacity in the plants available to the maximum extent to tackle the PFAS problem in Flanders. It was therefore decided to further reduce the direct supply of Chemours' PFAS-containing waste from the Netherlands by 2024.
With utmost care for the environment
Emissions to air are far below the EFSA standards framework
Indaver measures emissions to air every 14 days. The analyses of PFAS residues in air emissions are carried out by independent laboratories. The results of the measurements are far below the EFSA (European Food Safety Agency) standards framework. Indaver does not exceed the health advisory values of this temporary EFSA assessment framework. The emission of PFAS residues for the sum of the 3 rotary drum plants is less than 0.1 kg per year.
The BAT (Best Available Techniques) study by VITO "BAT study to reduce PFAS air emissions" PFAS emissions air | EMIS (vito.be) includes proposals for emission limit values. Based on its measurement results, Indaver can demonstrate that we are well within the proposed standards framework.
The emission measurement results are also modelled on immissions. Immission is the amount of dust that could be present at about one and a half metres above the ground. Independent studies by Arche and VITO have shown that there is no risk from Indaver's activities for employees or people living in the vicinity of Indaver facilities through chronic exposure or inhalation. These studies are available on the Indaver website Monitoring and risk assessment - Indaver.
Indaver has also had a study carried out by Arche Consulting on deposition of flue gases. Deposition is the dust that ends up on the soil near the facilities. This study was done for both the historical and current situation. The conclusion for both situations is that there is no risk of enrichment to soil or groundwater. The modelled groundwater concentrations are below the drinking water limit. The soil concentrations are below the limits for the free use of soil determined by OVAM.
Emissions to water
Indaver has an extensive water treatment plant with various purification steps and 8 activated carbon filters. The current discharge licence imposes very strict standards on Indaver for PFAS residues in wastewater. The analysis results show Indaver's very good performance. We meet the very strict standards. The emission of PFAS residues via wastewater amounts to less than 0.05 kg on an annual basis. Indaver thus meets the drinking water standards.
New challenges in the field of PFAS
Scientific insights into PFAS are evolving very rapidly, both in terms of their characteristics (eco-toxicity) and the way in which they can be measured. Indaver follows this scientific evolution closely and also makes active contributions to further fine-tuning measurement methods and analyses. Indaver also invests continuously to further improve its treatment process on the basis of new insights or new techniques. We are also actively involved in the current debate on short or ultra-short chains in order to facilitate research.
Indaver stresses that it is not a producer of PFAS. Indaver helps solve the PFAS problem in our society by removing 668 000 kg of PFAS from the environment every year. PFAS that would otherwise enter our society in an uncontrolled way. We destroy these PFAS molecules with the utmost care and attention. Based on measurements, we can state that emissions to air are limited to less than 0.1 kg per year and to water at less than 0.05 kg per year. These very good results show that Indaver's processing of PFAS poses no risk to people and the environment. On the contrary, Indaver ensures that very large quantities of PFAS are removed from the environment.