Norgips Opole Sp. z.o.o.

completed

Environmental Review Summary (ERS)Project Name Poland-Norgips OpoleRegion EuropeSector Construction MaterialsProject No. 0076611. This project involves construction and operation of a plasterboard manufacturing facility with annual capacity of 40 million m2. The site is 9 kilometers north of the city of Opole in southwestern Poland. The site is adjacent to the Opole Power Plant, which is contributing the land for its equity stake in the project. The project will convert solid waste (gypsum) from the power plant’s flue gas desulfurization system to a useful product, thereby eliminating a solid waste management problem. 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.2. Environmental, health and safety issues that were of primary concern during IFC’s environmental review of this investment included: potential contamination of soil and groundwater as a result of prior activity at the site; dust control at the gypsum stockpiles; and workplace air quality. The following summarizes the findings of the Environment Division during the environmental review. Primary sources of information included a feasibility study prepared by Norgips A/S, supporting documentation from Abrahamsen & Nielsen A/S, documents provided by the project sponsor in response to requests for additional information, and a site visit during appraisal by staff from IFC’s Technical and Environment Department.3. The project site was recently leveled as part of the program for construction of the power plant. The proposed site has already been drained and covered with concrete blocks, making investigation of potential contamination prohibitive. Furthermore, any soil contamination from past land uses has probably been modified by the recent land clearing and leveling. Opole Power Plant has provided the project with an indemnity for any damages previously existing at the site prior to project implementation.4. The gypsum will arrive at the factory containing 8 to 10% free water, therefore dust will not be a significant concern at the raw material stockpile. The project’s gypsum supply will be maintained in a covered storage area to prevent excess emission to the atmosphere. Drying of the gypsum will be carried out in natural gas-fired dryers. The use of clean-burning natural gas in the dryers will minimize air pollution from this source. Dust filtration equipment with a total capacity of 260,000 m3 will be installed at every stage of the production process to ensure that dust emission does not exceed 20 mg/Nm3 at any point. Dust collected throughout the process will be recycled directly into new production.5. Based on the findings of its environmental review, IFC’s Environment Division has determined that the proposed facility will be operated in compliance with local laws and regulations and World Bank environmental guidelines. The project sponsor will be required to submit an annual monitoring report to IFC to verify ongoing environmental compliance.poland\norgips.ers