Energy recovery from waste, the main objective of factories
More than half of the 6.25 million euros invested during 2023 to improve the environmental performance of Catalan factories went to investments related to energy recovery. The use of waste as an energy source reduces fossil fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions.
Overall, environmental investments increased by 41%. Energy efficiency and the prevention and reduction of particulate emissions into the atmosphere from the storage, handling and transportation of materials were the other major destinations for economic funds.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | Var. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Reduction of particulate emissions to the atmosphere at localized sources (stack emission) | 390.908 | 29.049 | 88.116 | 203% |
| 2. Prevention and reduction of particulate emissions to the atmosphere from storage, handling and transportation of materials. | 685.000 | 187.577 | 576.134 | 207% |
| 3. Reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) and sulfur (SO2) emissions | 59.306 | 28.004 | 0 | -100% |
| 4. Noise emission reduction | 408.228 | 85.000 | 279.500 |
229% |
| 5. CO2 savings through recycling and valorization of waste in cement manufacturing with use as alternative raw materials (material valorization). | 618.799 | 2.231.158 | 60.851 | -97% |
| 6. CO2 savings through valorization of cement manufacturing waste as alternative fuels (energy valorization) | 2.323.642 | 384.718 | 3.485.098 | 806% |
| 7. Visual impact | 1.006.558 | 426.959 | 399.758 | -6% |
| 8. Environmental effects control | 59.905 | 212.329 | 304.028 | 43% |
| 9. Energy efficiency | 1.813.589 | 846.930 | 1.011.915 | 19% |
| 10. Biodiversity | 19.542 | 14.500 | 44.377 | 206% |
| TOTAL | 7.385.476 | 4.446.224 | 6.249.776 | 41% |
Note: figures in €
