Nynas’ products have a limited impact on the environment as we do not manufacture petrol, diesel or other fuels. The emissions that are generated, which include nitrogen oxides and sulphur, are directly associated with the manufacturing process at our refineries and with the transport of crude oil and finished products.

Oil emissions to water are now very small. Progress has also been made with regard to emissions to air, for example of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The plant for liquid natural gas (LNG) that is being planned in Nynäshamn in Sweden will also result in significant reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide.

In recent years there have been a number of initiatives aimed at cutting energy consumption. These include everything from modernisation of the storage and distribution system to heat recycling systems, as well as optimising production to get even more out of the feedstock. This creates the conditions for reducing emissions, primarily of carbon dioxide. 

On the transport side, investments in more advanced IT systems and extended collaboration have made it possible to rationalise flows and avoid stock being too low or too high, tankers travelling when half-full or journeys being unnecessarily long. These too are initiatives that have a positive effect on the climate.

Another high priority is the decontamination of landfill sites. Nynas’ refineries were built 50-80 years ago, when there was less awareness of environmental consequences than there is today. We are therefore now implementing a number of measures that will continue well into the future, to prevent the dispersal of environmentally hazardous substances from contaminated land and to restore areas that have already been affected.  

Click here to find out more about work under way to decontaminate landfill sites in Nynäshamn.