VOC-Emissions and
Implementation according
to 31st BImSchV

www.owlquadrat.de

Reduce your consumption of solvents!

Solvents are used in manufacturing in many different application areas. For example, they are used in the production of coating materials, in cleaning agents for tools and components, in adhesive substances, as an impregnation agent or as an additive or basic material for various products. Because using solvents is rather costly, a reduction in the amounts consumed can illustrate how economical its application in each individual case is.

In addition to this, the comprehensive amendments introduced on the 21 August 2001 in the EU-VOC-Guidelines EU-VOC-Guidelines (1999/13/EG advice from 11 March 1999) referring to the usage and application of organic solvents are also relevant. Since the passing of the 31. BImSchV in 2003 (ruling on the restriction of emissions of volatile organic compounds in the usage of organic solvents in certain systems), the users of solvents are required to monitor and, where necessary, restrict the adoption of measures for the output of lightly volatile organic hydrocarbons. The list of systems has simplified the classification of individual production areas.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) can be regarded, when in relation to nitrogen oxide, as a preliminary substance for the development of terrestrial ozone. At a terrestrial level, ozone can be harmful to human health, plant life and also aid the greenhouse effect.

In the PIUS-Internet-Portal's Info-Pool, you can find additional practical advice regarding this subject which is free of charge.

The OWL² Project
The OWL (Optimisation-Knowledge Transfer-Solvents) project was carried out in 2003 within the scope of the regional competition "Eco-efficiency in Production". Commissioned by the Effizienz-Agentur NRW, a skills network was created in the Ostwefalen-Lippe region which offered support for small to medium sized enterprises in the implementation of the 31st BImSchV. In addition to this, the potential reduction of solvents in production is illustrated.

The documentation concerning the subject-related workshops as well as various measures and examples can be seen free of charge on the website under the title "Presentations and Company Visits".

VOC-Tool

Due to the government's reduction plan (according to 31st BImSchV), an Excel-Tool has been developed for the installation of company specific solvent usage. With this tool, planning has become considerably easier and, of course, the EU requirements are met. Essentially, this tool is suitable for all solvent users in the creation of an internal solvents management system and via this, the development of the economic and ecological potential of the enterprise.

Download Excel-Tool

Project Partners