de Haas

Slide1: 

European Responsible Care ® Conference 2006 17-19 September, Warsaw (Poland) “An example of successful cooperation with Logistics Partners” Albert de Haas SABIC Europe

European Fuel Oxygenates Association www.efoa.org: 

European Fuel Oxygenates Association www.efoa.org The European Fuel Oxygenates Association (EFOA) is a sector group of CEFIC, the European Chemical Industry Council. Its role is to represent the European Fuel Ether industry in a wide variety of technical and government initiatives. EFOA is recognised by the European Commission as a stakeholder on fuel quality and biofuels. Founded in 1985 9 members; representing 80% of European ether capacity Non-profit, technical organisation

Fuel ethers – Introduction: 

Fuel ethers – Introduction Fuel ethers are petrol performance enhancers that promote the better and cleaner burning of petrol in engines. They work as boosters to replace more toxic and carcinogenic compounds such as lead. The most commonly used are; MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether) ETBE (ethyl-tertiary-butyl-ether, a biofuel) TAME (tertiary-amyl-methyl-ether) European fuel specifications allow them to be blended into petrol in any proportion up to 15%.

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Internationale Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wasserwerke im Rheineinzugsgebiet (1970) Umbrella organisation for drinking water industry, covering whole Rhine catchment basin, representing over 200 million consumers. IAWR member organisations are from CH, D, F, L, B and NL incl.: ARW: Arbeitsgemeinschaft Rhein-Wasserwerke e.V. AWBR: Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Wasserwerke Bodensee-Rhein RIWA: Association of River Water Companies IAWR – Introduction

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In 2002, IAWR approached EFOA about a new phenomenon: Frequent spikes of MTBE in Rhine water… „We would like to discuss this with you“ The Issue

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Bimmen - Lobith Dutch / German continuous monitoring station On exceedance of a threshold an automatic notification is sent to Dutch drinking water industries to enable suspension of intake of river water

MTBE concentrations Lobith 2005: 

MTBE concentrations Lobith 2005 Source: www.aqualarm.nl

Slide8: 

2002 meeting IAWR’s views Concern about spikes. Man-made substances shouldn’t be in drinking water at all, despite extreme low levels and irrespective of risk assessments. Long term goal: preparation of drinking water from river water exclusively on basis of bank filtration. Seek a solution based on cooperation rather than by means of confrontation.

Slide9: 

2002 meeting – cont’d EFOA reaction Cautious, defensive, focus on favourable tox. properties Very low order of acute toxicity Mild skin irritation Not sensitising Effects in long term tests only at high dosages Not genotoxic Not toxic to reproduction EU-classification as an irritant only Not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (IARC)  No Health risks

Slide10: 

Follow up EFOA regularly checked status with IAWR In 2004 IAWR met EFOA again due to concerns about Frequent spikes of MTBE in Rhine water (up to 70 ppb) Background levels (increasing from 0,1 – 1,0 ppb) Situation worsened in 2005 in comparison with 2004 Regular contact EFOA – CONCAWE – IAWR All parties regard the issues as a threat Commitment to solve the issue Constructive approach EFOA initiated study by consultant (Dr Stupp)

Stupp study, Objectives : 

Stupp study, Objectives Gather available analysis data Identify possible sources of MTBE-spikes in the Rhine Rainfall Accidents (e.g. ship transports) Possible objects handling MTBE Industrial plants Retail stations for cars Retail stations for ships Harbours Tank farms Waste water treatment plants Ship loading stations Location of MTBE discharges calculation of locations and released amounts

Stupp study, Results: 

Stupp study, Results Possible sources Rainfall emissions too small to cause spikes No accidents reported which could be the source of spikes Documentation of all possible objects within 1 km along the Rhine from km 814 -865 is available → all documented objects most likely not the source Localisation of possible MTBE discharges Discharges of 90 - 1200 kg MTBE in the area 38 -58 km upstream the Dutch-/German border Wesel Datteln - Canal enters the Rhine in this area

Stupp Results – Cont’d: 

Stupp Results – Cont’d Discharge of neat MTBE No significant correlation between MTBE and BTEX spikes Ships are the most likely source Ship Movements are not filed by authorities in Germany Loading residue treatment stations are not available in North Rhine Westphalia

Stakeholders: 

Drinking water Industry Chemical Industry Oil Industry Barge Owners IAWR EFOA CONCAWE EBU Stakeholders

Barge owners: 

Barge owners In 2006, after Consulting logistical experts within member companies Discussing the issue with branch EBU EFOA decided to involve major barge owners Two workshops were held (April, August) with good attendance by barge owners CONCAWE participated for the first time in August workshop

Workshops: Possible Sources & Actions: 

Workshops: Possible Sources & Actions Ballast water Educate the barge offices on the dangers of using barges which have to ballast in product tanks for shipping ETBE and MTBE. Identify if this is a likely source of the spikes by gathering data on the frequency with which barges use product tanks for ballasting.

Workshops: Possible Sources & Actions - cont’d: 

Workshops: Possible Sources & Actions - cont’d Degassing Prove that degassing is the source of the problem by carrying out controlled testing which includes assessment of impact of using flexible hoses. Discuss with oil industry possible joint actions to increase vapour recovery. Promote the development of degassing facilities by working with other interested groups across the chemical industry.

Workshops: Possible Sources & Actions - cont’d: 

Workshops: Possible Sources & Actions - cont’d Illegal dumping Educate the industry on the dangers of dumping by widespread circulation of the magazine article and the handling instructions. Talk to independent storage facilities about correct handling of waste water containing ETBE and MTBE. If these fail then work with the river police on establishing an adequate level of control.

Specific Actions: 

Specific Actions Raise Awareness of issue Prepare a simplified article for the barge magazines. Issue the handling instructions for MTBE and ETBE for distribution to all barges companies handling these products. BP will raise issue of controlling the spikes within Concawe and the German Oil Federation and with the independent storage facilities.

Specific Actions – cont’d: 

Specific Actions – cont’d Identify the Source of the problem Measure the concentration of MTBE in the river behind a barge whilst it is degassing both with and without a flexible hose. Carry out in situ measurement of the residual vapour concentration and wash water in barges that have discharged ETBE & MTBE. Carry out a survey of the nature of the barges used to ship ETBE and MTBE and the quantities shipped using a questionnaire. Discuss with Concawe possible joint research on the sources of the background level of ethers.

Specific Actions – Cont’d: 

Specific Actions – Cont’d Joint Industry Action Raise within Cefic how to put increased pressure on the authorities to establish degassing facilities.

Current situation: 

Current situation The situation in the Rhine has improved: less spikes (but still occurring) Shift from MTBE to ETBE Awareness from barge owners Work continuing

Learning points: 

Learning points This case lead to the following learning points Dare to engage in a dialogue on an unresolved issue. Involving other parties can be useful. Although sometimes assumed to be “classical opponents” all parties were constructive. This case is an example of a Product Stewardship approach, without first being identified in a PS review. …

Thank You: 

Thank You