RE:BASF solves Finland Plant Sulphate Problem!! >> Where does it say what BASF will do? The planned crystallization plant CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED like this! BASF HAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM! Unless they find one so that the waste water is not discharged into nearby waterways. So how will BASF solve this problem? With or without Nano One Materials? Everything is open! <<
Administrative law: BASF's battery material factory in Harjavalla can start operations if the wastewater treatment works
BASF cannot yet comment on the effects of the solution, says the CEO. Layoffs will not be cancelled either.
Basf factory in Harjavalla.
Basf has been applying for an environmental permit for the factory in Harjavalta for years. Photo:
July 12, 10:22 a.m.
Updated July 12, 1:44 p.m.
The Vaasa Administrative Court has issued a decision on the environmental permit for BASF's Harjavalta battery factory.
Based on the decision, the plant can start operations, but it must be ensured that the waste treatment is successful.
Based on the appeals, the Administrative Court cancelled two approval decisions that concerned the treatment of factory wastewater before the sulfate crystallization plant belonging to the battery material factory goes into operation.
BASF has announced that the crystallization plant will be completed in the next few years.
In practice, the decision means that there must be certainty about the recipient of the wastewater and the initial treatment method of the wastewater before the battery material factory can start.
There is an opportunity to appeal the Administrative Court's decision to the Supreme Administrative Court if the Supreme Administrative Court allows the appeal.
Staff laid off
The Administrative Court had suspended operations at the battery material factory with its interim decision in February.
In June, BASF laid off almost 50 employees from the Harjavalta plant until further notice. According to the company, the reason was the lengthy permitting process and the associated uncertainty about the timeline for obtaining the factory's permanent permit.
BASF has not commented on the consequences of the decision
In the afternoon, Yle met with Tomi Oja, CEO of the battery material factory. BASF cannot yet comment on the consequences of the decision, says Oja, because the court decision is lengthy and complicated.
For example, layoffs will not be lifted for the time being. Oja says BASF has learned from the previous stages of the permitting process that the company should not take any action until the decisions are final.
They can apply to challenge the Administrative Court's decision for more than a month.
According to Oja, BASF cannot even comment on whether it intends to appeal the decision itself.
The associations appealed
The associations "For Clean Sea - and Water Nature" had appealed to the Administrative Court in September last year against the factory's environmental permit, which the regional administrative authority had granted.
The associations complained mainly that the wastewater should be treated somewhere other than the factory in Harjavalta.
Marja Tomberg, chairwoman of the Association for a Clean Sea, says the association is satisfied with the Administrative Court's decision.
- The point of our complaint has always been that the wastewater cannot be sent elsewhere for treatment. This now seems to be happening.
According to the Association for Vesiluonno pule, it is an important decision that water containing sulfates and heavy metals cannot be discharged into water bodies, even temporarily.
- Actually, we would like to thank BASF in a way. Although it has been a difficult process, the company has announced that it will invest in the crystallization plant. It is a significant step forward in water treatment for battery factories and serves as a model for other similar companies, says the association's chairman, environmental expert Jari Natunen.
BASF received an environmental permit for its factory back in 2020, but failed in the administrative court. The Supreme Administrative Court also considered that the factory could pose a danger to the environment. The main reason was sulfate-rich emissions into the Kokemenjoki.
The news was updated at 13:42 with comments from BASF.