Consultation on UK Best Available Techniques for preventing or minimising impacts on the environment from industry

Closes 14 May 2026

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Section 5: Common waste gas management and treatment in the chemical sector - Specific Questions

Based on a screening process involving input from TWG members, the BATC which could result in the most significant changes in emissions or costs to industry were identified.

The BATC identified through this process are detailed on the following page, along with specific questions on each of these. 

25. [BAT 11] Are the techniques, BAT-AELs and monitoring requirements to reduce emissions of organic chemicals to air appropriate for the industry?

Emissions of organic chemicals to air

BAT require the use of techniques to prevent or reduce emissions of organic compounds to air, the monitoring of channelled emissions and compliance with BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs)

  • BAT 11 covers techniques to reduce emissions to air and BAT-AELs for channelled emissions to air 
  • BAT 8 covers the monitoring requirements for channelled emissions to air 
26. [BAT 16] Are the techniques, BAT-AELs and monitoring requirements to reduce emissions to air from thermal treatment appropriate for the industry?

Emissions of inorganic chemicals to air

BAT require the use of techniques to reduce emissions to air of inorganic compounds (carbon monoxide, NOX and SOX) from thermal treatment, the monitoring of channelled emissions and compliance with BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs).

  • BAT 16 covers techniques to reduce emissions to air and BAT-AELs for channelled dust emissions to air from thermal treatment
  • BAT 8 covers the monitoring requirements for channelled emissions to air
27. [BAT 22] Are the requirements to monitor channelled VOC emissions appropriate for the industry?

Monitoring of diffuse VOC emissions

BAT require the monitoring of diffuse VOC emissions to the air during specific processing activities, in accordance with relevant EN or ISO standards. BAT is applicable when the estimated annual quantity of diffuse VOC emissions from the plant exceeds the values specified in the BAT guidelines

  • BAT 22 covers the requirements and frequency of monitoring for channelled VOC emissions to air. 
28. [BAT 23] Are the techniques, BAT-AELs and monitoring requirements to reduce diffuse VOC emissions to air appropriate for the industry?

Prevention or reduction of diffuse VOC emissions

BAT require the use of a combination of techniques to prevent or reduce diffuse VOC emissions to air, the monitoring of emissions and compliance with BAT-associated emission levels (BAT-AELs) from the use of solvents or the reuse of recovered solvents. 

  • BAT 23 details the techniques to reduce diffuse VOC emissions to air in order of priority
  • BAT 20, BAT 21 and BAT 22 cover the monitoring requirements
29. [BAT 24] Are the techniques, BAT-AELs and monitoring requirements to reduce emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters appropriate for the industry? 

Emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters

BAT applies when process furnaces/heaters with a total rated thermal input equal to or greater than 1 MW are used in the production processes included in the scope of the BATC for Common Waste Gas Management and Treatment Systems in the Chemical Sector.

BAT require the use of optimised combustion plus other techniques to prevent or reduce channelled emissions to air of carbon monoxide (CO), dust, NOX and SOX. Additionally, BAT sets associated emission levels (BAT-AEL) for channelled NOX emissions to air and indicative emission levels for channelled carbon monoxide (CO) emissions to air.

  • BAT 24 details the techniques to reduce channelled emissions to air from process furnaces/heaters
  • BAT 8 covers the monitoring requirements for channelled emissions to air
30. [BAT 36] Are the techniques, BAT-AELs and monitoring requirements to reduce emissions to air from process involved in the production of viscose appropriate for the industry? 

Emissions to air from the production of viscose

BAT require the use of techniques to reduce emissions to air of carbon disulphide (CS2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S). Additionally, BAT sets associated emission levels (BAT-AEL) for channelled emissions to air of CS2 and H2S from the production of viscose using CS2 and from the production of staple fibres and casing expressed as specific emission loads.

  • BAT 36 details the techniques to reduce channelled emissions to air from the production of viscose using carbon disulphide.
  • BAT 34 covers the monitoring requirements