Dryade is appealing to the Council of State against the "GRUP Nelissen Brickworks" in Lanaken, which was approved by the Flemish government at the end of January. The GRUP provides for the construction of a gas-fired brick kiln and dryers. This leads to significant nitrogen and CO2 emissions. Dryade is not against the expansion but believes that the Flemish government should have investigated the possibility of electrification.
Nelissen Brickworks wants to expand its factory in Lanaken with a brick kiln and 11 dryers. To this end, the Flemish government approved a Regional Spatial Implementation Plan (GRUP) tailored to this on 26 January 2024. This GRUP is based on gas-fired installations, which leads to more than a doubling of nitrogen emissions and significant CO2 emissions. The additional emissions of 78 tons of nitrogen correspond to the nitrogen emissions of 46,000 households. The nearby nature reserves are already absorbing too much nitrogen, and in accordance with the Climate Ruling, Flanders must reduce its CO2 emissions by 55%.
During the public inquiry, the Agency for Nature and Forest pointed out the high nitrogen emissions and advised investigating what the best available technology for brickworks is. This advice was dismissed by the Flemish government, and the GRUP was approved with fossil installations.
The sector is fully engaged in electrification. Thus, Wienerberger is pioneering in Kortemark with slim bricks from an electric oven. Dries Verhaeghe, director of Dryade, says about this: “We are not against the expansion as such. But we believe that the Flemish government has failed to investigate the possibilities for electrification.”. Electric installations do not emit nitrogen and CO2 and are better for nature and the environment.
Ultimately, it is a matter of justice. The emissions of nitrogen and CO2 are a “zero sum game”. The environmental usage space that Nelissen Brickworks fills with this expansion can no longer be used by agricultural companies or other industrial projects. The Flemish government must make sharper choices in its permitting policy.