Magnesitas Navarras adopts an innovative

solution to furnace exhaust gas purif ication

After eight years of research, Magnesitas Navarras has

perfected a wet desulphurisation process to treat

the exhaust gases from its furnaces. This remarkable

innovation is designed to reduce sulphur oxide (SOx)

emissions by more than 70% compared with previous

levels. This technology-driven advance also delivers

f inancial benef its by facilitating the use of cheaper fuel in

the form of Petcoke.

As part of minimising the environmental footprint of

the plant, the project is structured around a number of

ambitious developments:

• The Vertido cero (Zero discharge) initiative involves

reusing as much of our process water as possible to limit

water abstraction and avoid the need for discharges into

the River Arga, a f irst in Europe.

• Recovering production process byproducts (in the form

of dust) to make Epsom salts, which are then used as a

magnesium-based agricultural fertiliser.

• Minimising waste heat from furnaces to maximise energy

eff iciency.

• The new gas scrubbing technology will also enable

effective CO

2

capture as part of our future sequestration

projects.

Construction of the new unit is already underway, and we

now hope to see it fully operational by the end of 2025.

Limiting the environmental impact of industrial

plastic pellets

The Europe-wide Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) project The Europe-wide Operation Clean Sweep (OCS) project

is designed to eliminate all releases of plastic resin is designed to eliminate all releases of plastic resin

from our processing and transport activities to protect from our processing and transport activities to protect

water quality and the environment, at the same time as water quality and the environment, at the same time as

improving worker safety. To ensure consistency with this improving worker safety. To ensure consistency with this

aim and full compliance with the Decree on industrial aim and full compliance with the Decree on industrial

plastic pellets applicable in France since 2022, Agriplas-plastic pellets applicable in France since 2022, Agriplas-

Sotralentz Packaging has introduced a series of audit, Sotralentz Packaging has introduced a series of audit,

maintenance, cleaning, avoidance and recovery solutions. maintenance, cleaning, avoidance and recovery solutions.

One particularly signif icant example is the installation of One particularly signif icant example is the installation of

catch basins and berms in strategic locations to prevent catch basins and berms in strategic locations to prevent

losses to the environment. losses to the environment.

Industry experts and academic researchers

unite to develop new hybrid energy solutions

Coordinated by the Politecnico di Milano, the FLEXHION

(Flexible hybrid electrical systems for sustainable

process intensif ication on-demand) project is all about

transforming industrial processes through the integration

of hybrid energy solutions based on microwave and

heat pump technologies. The project is designed to

deliver signif icant reductions in energy consumption and

greenhouse gas emissions, at the same time as improving

operational eff iciency and cost control. FLEXHION

is supported by nine leading European partners —

academic institutions, manufacturers and research

centres — including the Roullier World Innovation Centre.

This four-year project is being funded with a substantial

contribution from the European Commission.

LEVER 2 – INNOVATION & MANUFACTURE – BUSINESS CASES

Non-Financial Performance Statement 2024 19