ENVIRONMENT

New 47 MW biomass-fired combustion plant. In 2001, Lesonit started operating a new combustion plant, fired with biomass instead of heating oil. In addition to the economic benefits, air emissions have also been reduced. Prior to the construction of the heating plant, Lesonit used to dispose of all wood residues from production in a factory landfill near the Reka river. Heating oil and wood dust from sanding and cutting line were used for heat production (with a consumption of 7.000 tons/year). Heat energy was obtained from three boilers and two burners. The total installed capacity was 37 MW.

Termination of the technological waters discharge into the Reka river. In 2002, Lesonit stopped discharging industrial wastewater into the Reka river by establishing water recirculation system and removing sediments from the circuit. Until 2002, industrial wastewater from the washing of wood chips was discharged into the Reka river. In 1999, there was 40,000 m3 (110 m3/day) of industrial wastewater.

Remediation of the industrial landfill site. During the remediation process, the waste was first sorted, and the wood residues were used as fuel in the new combustion plant. The lower layers of wood residues were left to gradually transform into humus. Other waste was handed over to authorized collectors. Within the factory complex, an illegal waste landfill from production began to form in the early 1980s, covering an area of approximately 30,000 m2. The landfill contained approximately 48.000 m3 of wet or 12.000 tons of dry waste. The deposited waste consisted mainly of wood residues (wet sawdust, wood chips, bulk waste), scraps of fiberboard and melamine boards, plastic barrels, containers, bags, straps, broken pallets, sediments of urea, melamine, ash and phenolic resins from sedimentation tanks. In 2011, the landfill was finally remediated.

Use of resin with lower free formaldehyde content. In 2003, Lesonit discontinued its own production of resin. Since then, the company has been using resin produced by the parent company Fantoni. The resin from the parent factory Fantoni has 10 times less free formaldehyde (below 0.1% w/w) compared to the resin used in 2000. Of course, such an achievement is possible only through continuous innovation.

Upgrading the Fiberboard Production Line. Between 2006 and 2008, Lesonit modernized its production line. Machines and equipment from the fiber dryer to the end of the production line were replaced. In addition to the positive economic effects, this upgrade also reduced the environmental impact. The production line modernization made it possible to reduce emissions of wood dust. All exhaust and transportation systems are equipped with dust collectors or washing devices, significantly reducing emissions into the air. Monitoring data shows that dust emissions have decreased by 65%, daytime noise emissions by 4 dBA, and nighttime noise emissions by 14 dBA.

Installation of treating plant of Run-off Rain Wastewater from Transportation and Manipulation Areas. Between 2007 and 2009, Lesonit installed two wastewater treatment plants to further reduce its impact on the Reka river. The wastewater treatment plants are oil separators. Suspended solids such as sand and wood fibers are deposited in the sedimentation tank, while light liquids (such as accidentally spilled diesel fuel or oil) are captured on the surface and retained there. After a certain period, these substances need to be drained and handed over to an authorized collector. The treatment plants are equipped with a gate valve that can be closed in case of fire or accidental spillage of hazardous substances. This ensures that the polluted water is contained within the sewage system and prevents its entry into the Reka river.