The Province of Antwerp has granted a new permit for the steam cracker of chemical company BASF. Environmental organisations Bond Beter Leefmilieu and Dryade are appealing to Minister of Environment Brouns: an installation with such an enormous impact on climate and nature should not receive a free pass. The permit must include binding nitrogen reduction targets in the short term and outline a clear path to climate neutrality by 2050.
BASF is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases in Flanders. Annually, the chemical giant emits 3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents into the atmosphere, nearly as much as 100,000 households. It is also one of the largest nitrogen emitters in Flanders, affecting the nature reserves of the Pochard and Blokkersdijk, as well as the Brabantse Wal in the Netherlands. Therefore, it is incomprehensible that the Province of Antwerp grants the steam cracker on the site a renewed permit of indefinite duration, without imposing binding and future-proof conditions.
Permit applications are particularly effective levers to steer the industry. For example,Total Energies, Evonik and INEOS Aromatics have all been imposed conditions in their recent permits to reduce their nitrogen and greenhouse gas emissions.
“It is all hands on deck to solve the nitrogen crisis. The agricultural sector must step up. But the industry must also take its responsibility. Minister Brouns must not simply go along with uncertain promises for a distant future. The company must invest now to protect our vulnerable nature. We expect at least the same obligation that Total Energies was imposed with.”says Dries Verhaeghe, director of Dryade.
“BASF is requesting a permit of indefinite duration. This can only be acceptable to us if there is a clear plan in place that phases out fossil fuels and raw materials. In Germany, the multinational is working on scaling up the first fully electric cracker. Minister Brouns must urge BASF to also invest here in the chemistry of tomorrow,” concludes Babette Lamote, policy expert on industry at Bond Beter Leefmilieu.