Sejong, July 08 - The Ministry of Environment (ME, Minister Han Hwa-jin) launched a consultative body for the cement industry's integrated environmental permits. The consultative body held its first meeting at the LW Convention Center on July 6. The Ministry of Environment, ten cement companies, and the Korea Cement Association attended the consultative body for integrated environmental permits to establish standards and guidelines for applying the integrated environmental management system.

The cement manufacturing industry is a high emitter of nitrogen oxide (NOx), accounting for 26% of the total nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions (240,000 tons as of 2019). A concern has been raised by the National Assembly and the public over the importance of controlling Nitrogen oxide generated from cement kilns. Nitrogen oxide is a causative agent of ultrafine dust. It is necessary to reduce the occurrence of ultrafine dust by reducing nitrogen oxide generations from cement kilns in an effective way. In this regard, the "Act on the Integrated Control of Pollutant-discharging Facilities (hereinafter referred to as the Pollutant-discharging Facilities Act)" was amended to add businesses subject to integrated environmental permit and took effect on June 10 after passing the plenary session of the National Assembly on May 29.

The Ministry of Environment and the cement industry will operate the first consultative body from July 2022 to June 2023. The first consultative body will discuss the amendments to the Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules of the "Pollutant-discharging Facilities Act". It will include setting the scope of cement manufacturing sites to which the integrated permit is applied, maximum emission limits for the cement industry, and standards for building facilities. The first consultative body will also review the Best Available Techniques Reference Document. The second council will focus on supportive measures for the cement industry, including a template of authorization s (a plan for integrated environmental management), training on the integrated environmental management system, and support for facility improvement costs and finding difficulties.

"If the integrated environmental permit is applied to the cement manufacturing industry, ultrafine dust will be reduced. We also expect to contribute to improving public health and the national environment," said Jang Ki-bok, General Director of the Green Transition Policy Division of the Ministry of Environment. He added, "The consultative body will establish standards and guidelines accepted by the industry. The Ministry of Environment will actively seek support measures for the industry to help implement the integrated permit."

Contact: Byun Sang-yoon, Deputy Director

Integrated Permit System Division / +82-(0)44-201-6717 

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr