All pollution data is obtained from site-specific information and measurements carried out in accordance with national legal requirements regarding measurement methods and frequencies. Data for air pollutants is derived using a mixed methodology: continuous measurements, spot measurements extrapolated to annual values, and data calculated using standard factors. Pollutants to water are measured via spot sampling and internal or external lab analysis. Soil pollution caused by hydrocarbon spills is measured using various methodologies, depending on the type and severity of the spill and data availability. Assumptions and limitations are mainly related to the use of estimates, standard factors, and the extrapolation from spot measurements.
Environmental data, including pollution-related data, is gathered in OMV’s environmental reporting system either on a continuous basis (e.g., reporting of spill incidents they occur) or through defined data collection campaigns. To ensure data accuracy, a different person from the one who recorded or entered the data at site level should check, validate, and approve it, applying the four-eyes principle. This is required before data can be used or consolidated at the divisional or Group level. Local management retains ownership of the data.
All measurement methodologies comply with national legal requirements and industry standards. The more significant the respective pollutant load is in the regional and national context, the more accurate a measurement method is typically required and applied. However, increased accuracy requires more sophisticated and costly measurement technology and methods. Thus, to make the most efficient use of resources, it is acceptable and reasonable to use less accurate methods for small and insignificant amounts of pollutants. The resources that are freed up in this way can be used in a more meaningful way within the framework of the environmental management system.
kg/year |
|
|
|
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2024 |
||||||||
Pollutant |
to air |
to water |
to soil |
||||||
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) |
110.5 |
n.a.1 |
n.a.1 |
||||||
Non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOC) |
3,808,131 |
n.a.1 |
n.a.1 |
||||||
Nitrogen oxides (NOx/NO2) |
4,458,812 |
n.a.1 |
n.a.1 |
||||||
Sulfur oxides (SOx/SO2) |
2,387,598 |
n.a.1 |
n.a.1 |
||||||
Total Nitrogen |
n.a.1 |
51,599 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Total Phosphorus |
n.a.1 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Arsenic and compounds (as As) |
n.a.3 |
55.9 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Cadmium and compounds (as Cd) |
20 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Chromium and compounds |
n.a.3 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Copper and compounds (as Cu) |
n.a.3 |
93.1 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Mercury and compounds (as Hg) |
n.a.3 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Nickel and compounds (as Ni) |
103 |
20.7 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Lead and compounds (as Pb) |
n.a.3 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Zinc and compounds (as Zn) |
n.a.3 |
1,560 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Halogenated organic compounds (as AOX) |
n.a.1 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Benzene |
63,159 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate(DEHP) |
n.a.3 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Phenols (as total C) |
n.a. |
177.8 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) |
n.a.3 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Total organic carbon (as total C or COD/3) |
n.a.1 |
n.a.3 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Chlorides (as total Cl) |
n.a.1 |
2,882,950 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Fluorides (as total F) |
n.a.1 |
2,711 |
n.a.2 |
||||||
Particulate matter (PM10) |
59,000 |
n.a.1 |
n.a.1 |
||||||
|
|||||||||
kg/year |
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
2024 |
2023 |
SO2 |
2,461,811 |
2,580,742 |
NOx |
7,560,341 |
8,539,003 |
NMVOC |
7,673,828 |
8,089,970 |
Particulate emissions |
139,384 |
100,434 |
Ozone-depleting substances |
134 |
280 |
30 sites certified according to ISO 14001
0.0125 mg/l dispersed oil concentration in discharged water
Microplastics
In 2024, Borealis generated 4,024,286.9 t of microplastics in the form of produced plastic pellets at its PO sites, while emitting 0.018 t of microplastics as unrecovered pellet spills. Borealis began specific investigation and data collection activities regarding unintentional pellet spill incidents in 2024 through the implementation of the OCS standard at all PO sites, and therefore did not have information on changes over time.
The total mass of microplastics generated refers to the production output of each of Borealis’ extruders (virgin polyolefin, compounding, and recycling plant), which is measured and reported in its environmental and energy data management system. The total mass of unrecovered microplastics resulting from a significant pellet spillPellet spills refer to an incident that leads to any accidental or unplanned release of more than 0.5 kg of pellets from primary containment or the recovery system, into the environment outside of the fence. is primarily estimated by trained on-site personnel during routine inspections.
A thorough root cause investigation, required when substantial evidence of a spill exists, may provide a more precise weight estimate. This methodology complies with OCS Europe certification requirements. Estimations are based on the difference between recovered and weighed spills and the spill source. A quick response from staff typically limits spill size and allows for full recovery. No standardized, scientifically recognized methods for directly measuring unrecovered pellets spilled from Borealis’ operations currently exist. Therefore, quantification is based on estimation following a thorough root cause investigation. A standardized methodology for measuring microplastics emissions has been proposed in recent EU regulations, and Borealis will adopt it once it has been established and is applicable. For more details, see the Borealis Group Annual Report 2024 – Group Management Report – Non-financial Statement.
Metrics Definitions and Methodology
The measurement of all the metrics below, unless specified, is not validated by an external body other than the assurance provider.
For pollutants to air and water listed in the table on pollutants emitted to air, water, and soil, OMV employs the pollutant definitions as prescribed in national and international environmental frameworks and legislation, such as the EPRTR regulationRegulation (EC) No 166/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council concerning the establishment of a European Pollutant Release and Transfer Register. Pollutant loads to air and water are quantified as annual loads. The unit of measurement is tons. Hydrocarbon spills are quantified as total volumes. The unit of measurement is liters.
The amount of microplastics generated or used is the total production output (virgin polyolefin, compounding, and recycling plant) plus the unrecovered accidental spills of microplastics to the environment as documented in the reporting system by all our sites. The polyolefin production process is designed to produce microplastics in the form of pellets to make it possible to further convert the pellets for applications such as water pipes, cable insulation, and health care products. Therefore, all of Borealis’ polyolefin production operations fall under the category “microplastic generated.” The production output of each of our extruders (virgin polyolefin, compounding, and recycling plant) is measured and reported in our environmental and energy data management system. Accidental spills of microplastics (pellets, flakes, powder, or dust) are documented and followed up in our internal incident management tool. More information can be found in the Borealis Annual Report 2024 – Management Report – Sustainability chapter.
|
|
2024 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
Spills |
number |
2,305 |
2,027 |
of which major (i.e., severity levels 3 to 5) |
number |
4 |
4 |
Spills volume released |
liters |
127,015 |
185,745 |
Metrics Definitions and Methodology
The measurement of all metrics below is not validated by an external body other than the assurance provider.
The total number of spills refers to the total number of spills documented in the reporting system within the reporting boundaries for the reporting year,
- of which major (i.e., severity levels 3 to 5): the OMV incident classification system consists of five severity levels, where level 1 is the lowest severity and level 5 the highest severity. A level 3 incident is defined as medium environmental damage within a large area outside the boundaries, for which actions for remediation/restoration are required.
Volume of spills released: the volume of liquid released in liters. Depending on the type and severity of spill and data availability, there are different methods employed to determine the spill volume. For larger volumes of spilled material, process data can be used to determine the spill volume (e.g., tank volumes and levels, flow measurements and similar). For smaller volumes of spilled material, the volume of excavated soil and the specific hydrocarbon loading of the soil can be used. For very small volumes of spilled material that don’t require soil recovery, estimates will be employed.
|
Unit |
2024 |
2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
Environmental protection expenditures, excluding depreciation |
EUR mn |
555 |
624 |
Environmental investments for assets put into operation |
EUR mn |
592 |
422 |