Best available techniques (BAT) in the Finnish pulp and paper industry - a critical review

In this multiple‐case study the BAT‐associated techniques and relative emission levels presented in the EU's best available techniques (BAT) reference document for the pulp and paper industry (PP‐BREF) are compared with the techniques applied and the relative emission levels achieved in the Finnish pulp and paper industry. Information on the emissions of 24 Finnish pulp and paper plants was compiled from the national databases maintained by the Finnish Environment Institute. Moreover, a supportive study was conducted on the use of the PP‐BREF in the environmental permitting process. The techniques applied in the studied plants represented the BAT as defined in the PP‐BREF to a high degree, but the emission levels showed a larger variation. Possible reasons for this variation were discussed. A BAT emission index (BEI) was designed to trace the degree to which the BAT‐associated emission levels were achieved as a whole. The BEI appeared to be a useful indicator for assessing the BAT‐related environmental performance of the plants. An important area for improvement, identified from the point of view of the applicability of the PP‐BREF in the permit process, was the information on waste management issues. Moreover, a consistent cross‐media assessment in the PP‐BREF was called for. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.