SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR NMVOC EMISSION REDUCTION IN FOUNDRIES THROUGH ADVANCED AMINE RECOVERY

ongoing

LIFE REAMINE will demonstrate an innovative and cost-efficient process to selectively capture and reclaim the amines present in the emissions of the core making process in foundries, helping industries to minimise the impact of NMVOC pollution on people’s health and the environment. This solution will significantly contribute to the objectives outlined in the last draft revision of the Smitheries and Foundries BREF Document (SF-BREF), foreseen to be published in early 2025, that establishes a limit value for amine emissions 8 times lower than the one currently applicable, with an adaptation period of 4 years. Furthermore, it will support the EU’s new Industrial Emissions Directive (IED 2.0) by developing a novel dual-purpose technology: the reduction of emissions and the reuse of raw materials. The technology aims to be recognized as an Emerging Technique and later assessed as a potential Best Available Technique (BAT) for foundries, based on its environmental, economic, and technical viability demonstrated in this project The REAMINE solution integrates an adsorption column with a membrane device, creating an energy-efficient treatment train. This configuration effectively abates amine emissions while facilitating liquid amine recovery. It will improve gas treatment efficiency, lower cold box core-making costs, and demonstrate replicability across the foundry sector. The solution, aiming to reach TRL7 and with an off-gas treatment capacity of 240 Nm3/day, will be implemented at the iron foundry BETSAIDE (BET) located in Elorrio, in a Spanish region with a high density of foundry companies. The overall impact extends to most of serial production foundries (~78%) across Europe, as well as to other sectors with similar needs, i.e., NMVVOC emissions reduction, amine recovery and healthcare, to which it can be transferred. The consortium is formed by 6 partners with high experience in EU projects that have already worked together on research and innovation initiatives.