ADRITEC Syria

completed

Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name: SYRIA: Syrian Arab Republic - AdritecRegion: Central Asia, Middle East & North AfricaSector: Industrial Plastics Project No: 009688 1. The proposed project consists of the expansion of Adritec Syria (ADS), an existing company specializing in the manufacturing of drip and other advanced irrigation equipment in Latakia, Syria. The total cost of the Company''s expansion investment program amounts to about US$2.7 million.2. This is a category B project according to IFC’s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines or design criteria. The review of this project consisted of appraising technical and environmental information submitted by the project sponsor. The following potential environmental, health and safety impacts of the project were analyzed:· site selection;· resettlement;· water sources;· air emissions;· liquid effluents handling, treatment and discharge;· solid waste handling and disposal;· employee training; and· general occupational health and safety.The following is a summary of findings of IFC’s environmental review of this proposed investment. The information provided about how these potential impacts are addressed by ADS is summarized as follows:3. The existing factory is built on a plot bought by the Company from the original owner. There is court appeal pending on the evacuation of a squatter who built a house on a portion of the land without prior permission of its owner. IFC will be maintained informed of the progress in settling this issue. The sponsor has committed to (i) compensate the squatter with the commercial value for its losses at full replacement cost prior to the actual move; and (ii) assist in the squatter efforts to improve its former living standards, income earning capacity, and production levels, or at least to restore them. 4. For the expansion project, the Company proposes to acquire the adjacent plot, which is currently being used as agricultural land with only small-scale farming in the form of a single greenhouse existing there. The owner of the land is an employee of ADS and has willingly agreed to sell the land to the Company and relocate his agricultural activity. The sponsor confirmed that they will purchase the land from the owner on a market-based transaction and will ensure the adequate relocation of the greenhouse infrastructure currently existing on the plot to be acquired by the Company. Copy of this transaction will be submitted to IFC when available. No one has been living on the property, and there is no need to resettle people. 5. The manufacturing process involves conversion of plastic raw materials into drip irrigation finished products through extrusion and injection molding, which are dry processes. Water for process and consumption is obtained from wells. Chilled water is used in closed circuit as a cooling medium in the extrusion and injection molding machines. No liquid process effluent is generated in the manufacturing process. The only effluent generated is the employee sanitary and kitchen wastewater. The existing soak pit and septic tank arrangement would be adequate to take care of the on going as well as the expanded operations of the Company.6. Electrical power is used in the operations, thus, there are no air emissions generated due to power generation. Volatile organic compounds (VOC) are released as part of the process. The sponsor will either test the volatile organic compound (VOC) concentrations and submit the results to IFC as soon as they are ready or provide manufacturers confirmation that the VOC emission will be less than 20 mg/Nm3. If the VOC levels are greater than the World Bank applicable concentration, the sponsor will submit to IFC proposed corrective measures, and the implementation budget and schedule. In addition, should the sponsor decide to install in-house power generation (main or standby) in future, it will ensure compliance with local as well as the World Bank guidelines. 7. The solid wastes generated by the plant will be limited to the plastic scrap materials. These will be either recycled in the plant or sold to outside parties for recycling. Paper and wood-based scrap materials will be sold to secondary market recyclers. 8. The Company has installed adequate fire fighting equipment including a fire hydrant system in the existing operations. The expanded operations will be suitably augmented with additional fire fighting equipment and a hydrant installed in the new building as well. ADS’s employees undertake regular fire drills. The Company is currently developing emergency response, disaster, and safety plans, which will be submitted to IFC prior first disbursement. 9. No employee medical check-up is being carried out currently. The sponsor has agreed to introduce regular medical check-up for its employees and would fix up a doctor and medical facilities to carry out the task. Training in issues relating to safety, health and environment will also be introduced.10. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank environmental, health and safety policies and guidelines during the lifetime of the project by evaluating reports submitted annually to IFC by ADS and by conducting periodic supervision.11. ADS will annually submit to IFC a monitoring report to demonstrate ongoing environmental compliance during the life of the project. ADS’s monitoring reports will include monitoring results and current status for the following components, at a minimum:· project status including key developments or deviations from the original design;· air emission concentrations;· annual statistics for occupational accidents and illnesses including number of employees, work hours and lost-time incidents;· rate of work related accidents and incidents (Rate = # of incidents/# of workers);· interactions with the local communities; · significant incidents, if any; and· employee training programs.12. Based on the review of the available information regarding potential environmental impacts and proposed mitigation measures, IFC concludes that the proposed project is being designed to meet Syrian Arab Republic requirements, and World Bank policies, and environmental, health and safety guidelines.