Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emissions

 

Trends in the emission of halogenated and non-halogenated VOCs are mixed for the 2008 reporting year. While emission of halogenated VOCs increased to 224t, from 168t in 2007, emission for non-halogenated VOCs were reduced from 1724t in 2007 to 1594t for 2008. Emission of halogenated VOCs came predominantly from Sandoz (94%); emission of non-halogenated VOCs came from the Sandoz (76%), Pharma (20%) and Consumer Health (4%) Divisions.

 

VOC emission targets and outlook

VOCs are precursors of photochemical (tropospheric) ozone creation that leads in turn to smog and related detrimental effects on health and the environment. Halogenated VOCs can also contribute to emissions of greenhouse gases. Novartis emphasizes reductions in VOC emissions in operations worldwide and targets have been set for both halogenated and non-halogenated VOC emissions for the period 2005-2010. Emissions are strongly influenced by the need for products which use solvents-based production processes and by the significant lead times needed to change production processes. While no further increase is expected on halogenated VOC emissions during 2009, additional abatement measures are being implemented and further reductions for both halogenated and non-halogenated VOC emissions will become effective in the coming years.