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| Korean cement production generates the country's second-highest nitrogen oxide emissions, one of the major constituents of PM2.5 air pollution. Power plants produce the most. GETTYIMAGEBANK |
By Ko Dong-hwan
The country's nine cement producers agreed with the Ministry of Environment on Wednesday to work together to lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, the industry's main air pollutant.
Representatives of companies including Ssangyong Cement Industrial, Sungshin Cement and Hanil Cement and officials from the ministry and the National Institute of Environmental Research gathered at Ssangyong Cement's factory in Donghae, Gangwon Province, to sign a partnership that brings together the private firms, the government and state researchers.
Cement production generates Korea's second-highest nitrogen oxide emissions ― 62,546 tons, or 32 percent of the overall NOx produced in 2019 ― which contributes to air pollution particulate matter of 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5). The figures, released by the ministry in May, showed that local power plants generated the most ― 68,324 tons ― followed by steelmakers (31,434 tons) and petrochemical manufactures (19,569 tons).
Cement producers have been reining in NOx emissions by installing filtering devices to their furnaces, but their efficiency is low. They said they couldn't upgrade the filters because of space limitations and high maintenance fees.
The tripartite agreement stated that the stakeholders will reduce NOx emissions by all means necessary, including installing high-efficiency filters or upgrading existing filters, or improving the factories' cement-making processes.
They also agreed that companies should set NOx reduction goals so the necessary funding can be allocated.
NOx-reducing technologies ― including selective catalytic reduction (SCR) or selective none-catalytic reduction (SNCR) ― will be developed and tested under the Korea Environmental Industry Technology Institute, with 3.5 billion won ($2.93 million) devoted to this.
The ministry believes NOx reduction technologies could cut emissions by 40,000 tons across the country. This is based on the average concentration level falling below 81 parts per million (ppm) ― 30 percent of the country's maximum cap of allowed NOx of 270 ppm.
