Environmental protection
The main goals in the field of environmental protection are aimed at compliance with all regulations relating to air, water and land; as little generation as possible and a higher degree of recycling and disposal of generated waste; realization of monitoring of the state of the environment in the prescribed scope and dynamics; conserving biodiversity in the areas in which we operate. We rehabilitated almost completely the historical pollution and returned over 15 ha of land to its original purpose – agricultural production; we are committed to reducing the impact on climate change and we calculate SO2 emissions, although it is not yet regulated by RS regulations; we participate in nature management and waste collection campaigns; we sort waste that represents secondary raw materials and by personal example, we promote the commitment to the protection of the environment in which we work and live.
As a socially responsible company, we have been transparently reporting to the public on environmental indicators for 10 years, through the Sustainable Development Report in accordance with the GRI guidelines (Global Reporting Initiative).
NIS has incorporated its attitude towards environmental protection into its vision and mission, adopted values, NES policy and Statement on NES policy.
The 10th-anniversary issue of the NIS Sustainable Development Report presents the company’s performance in 2019.
See moreNIS proves its responsibility towards the environment through numerous projects and significant investments in the field of environmental protection. We are improving production activities by implementing projects in accordance with the best available techniques and technologies (VAT – Best Available Technics), and only in 2019, NIS invested 534 million dinars in the implementation of environmental protection projects.
Investment environmental projects have been implemented in order to comply with the legislation of the Republic of Serbia and the European Union. The most significant implemented environmental projects in previous years are projects that result in a significant reduction in emissions of pollutants into the air (SO2, NOx and powders), increased energy efficiency, improved waste management, wastewater and remediation and reclamation of land (historical pollution).
Given that NIS j.s.c. Novi Sad is one of the energy-intensive companies, and that the Republic of Serbia is in harmonization with EU regulations defining GHG emissions (Greenhouse gases), the company has recognized the importance of combating climate change by increasing energy efficiency in all business segments. It achieves it by increasing the share of renewable energy sources in total energy production, production of higher quality and cleaner fuels, establishment of a system for monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the requirements of the EU ETS Directive and developing experience in injecting CO2 into geological formations by implementing EOR projects, in order to prepare for the challenges of geological storage of CO2 in the future period (Carbon Capture and Storage).
Although there is currently no legislation in the Republic of Serbia limiting GHG emissions from the plant and requiring operators to quantify them, NIS j.s.c. as a socially responsible company, in order to show the total GHG emissions (Carbon footprint of the company), quantified the total CO2 emissions in the previous period. Data on GHG emissions NIS j.s.c. publishes in the Sustainable Development Report starting in 2016.
Waste management is performed in accordance with the legislation of the Republic of Serbia. By performing its activities, the Company generates both non-hazardous and hazardous waste.
Non-hazardous waste generates the most various types of metals (about 90%), as well as packaging non-hazardous waste, while hazardous waste generates the most oil sludge and oily waste (about 70%), as well as sulphuric acid, catalysts and hazardous packaging.
The company has developed a special software solution, the Application for waste records, which is used for the purpose of monitoring the generation and movement of waste, as well as reporting to the competent authorities.
Our company uses a large number of different chemicals during work and production activities and the safe use of chemicals is of great importance. Employees who handle chemicals must have an available Safety Data Sheet or excerpt from the Safety data sheet, appropriate PPE (personal protective equipment) and have to be trained to work with chemicals. Except in warehouses, laboratories, plants, PSs, all safety data sheets are available to our employees on the Company’s internal portal, while SDS lists of chemicals registered under REACH are available on the Company’s website.
Due to the large number of chemicals and their different applications, each Block / Subsidiary has its own appointed Chemical Advisor, who takes care of the proper management of chemicals within the scope of its work.
Water is used in NIS for the needs of production and processing, for fire protection, testing of tank tightness, for cooling, washing and watering. About 3.6 million m3 of water is used annually, according to the principle of capturing water from the least sensitive resource – surface water is used at the level of about 78%, from public water supply about 12%, and groundwater about 10%.
Since the operation of the return condensate polishing plant in the RNP since 2013, the abstraction of water from the Danube has been reduced by about 1/3 on an annual level.
The amount of captured water in some facilities has been reduced by streamlining and rehabilitating pipelines, as well as washing vehicles and pressure equipment, which requires less water consumption.
The amount of discharged wastewater is at the level of 2.2 million m3 of water per year. The largest amount of wastewater is generated in RNP, and is proportional to the amount of processed crude oil.
The company has 355 wastewater treatment plants where it treats more than 99% of all generated wastewater, which is discharged into watercourses and public sewers.
The HSE system (Health, Safety, Environment) is a part of every business process in our company
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