Merano 2009 Environmental Statement English MemcES_2009

ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT 2009 

MERANO FACTORY

MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A. 

Viale Gherzi, 31 

28100 Novara - Italy 

Tel. (+39) 0321 334444 

Fax. (+39) 0321 691000 

Via Nazionale, 59 

39012 Merano (Bz) - Italy 

Tel. (+39) 0473 333333 

Fax (+39) 0473 333270 

www.memc.com 

The subject of this Environmental Statement 

is the Merano factory of MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A. 

This document has been drawn up to comply with Article 6 of 

EC Regulation no. 1221/2009 dated 25/11/09. 

The published data refer to the period 2000-2009. 

This publication has been edited by The Environmental Safety 

and Health (ESH) Department 

Project Manager: A. Tonini 

Editorial Collaboration: C. de Santis, R. Marangon 

All Rights Reserved. 

Photographs published with kind permission of: Memc 

Graphic Design: kdg italia srl


CONTENTS 

Introduction 4 

General Information 5 

The MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. Group 5 

The Merano Factory 6 

Significant developments in 2009 7 

MEMC‘s Policy 8 

The Production Process 9 

Production 10 

Environmental Aspects 11 

Importance attributed to direct environmental aspects 11 

Importance attributed to indirect environmental aspects 13 

Direct Environmental Aspects 14 

Energy Resources 14 

Water resources 17 

Consumption of raw and auxiliary materials 18 

Atmospheric Emissions 21 

Water Discharges 26 

Waste 30 

Reclamation: Ensuring the Safety and Protection 

of Soil and Groundwater 33 

Noise 33 

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Asbestos 34 

Indirect Environmental Aspects 35 

Managing Relations with Critical Suppliers 35 

Activities of Companies Operating On-site 35 

Purchase and Transport of Hazardous Substances 

and Preparations 35 

Communications 36 

The Environmental Improvement Program 37 

Reference Legislation 41 

Glossary 43 

3


INTRODUCTION 

Since 1999, the MEMC site in Merano has adopted a UNI EN 

ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System, and 

since 2002, it has also been listed (no. I-000121) in the European 

register of organizations adhering to EMAS (EC Regulation 

761/2001). 

With respect to the EMAS Regulation, every year MEMC makes 

information on the Company available to interested parties with 

our Environmental Statement, which is endorsed by an environmental 

examiner. This information includes the results it has obtained 

in the environmental field and its programs for environmental 

improvement. 

This Environmental Statement consolidates MEMC’s desire to operate 

with the maximum transparency with regard to its staff, the 

local community, public bodies, as well as nearby companies 

and others operating on site. 

This report is the second annual revision of the 2008 Environmental 

Statement approved on 29 September 2009. The lay-out 

of the previous editions has been maintained to make the report 

easier to read, and so that the data can be easily compared with 

information from previous years. 

The information contained herein is current as of 31 December 

2009 unless otherwise indicated. 

4


THE MEMC 

ELECTRONIC MATERIALS INC. GROUP 

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. is an international manufacturer 

of extra-pure silicon operating in the microelectronic market, and, 

since 2004, in the solar photovoltaic market. 

The Group has its registered office in St. Peters, Missouri (USA). 

It has ten production plants worldwide (three in the United States, 

two in Europe, one in Japan, two in Malaysia, one in Taiwan, 

and a joint venture with a Korean partner), and covers the entire 

globe with its marketing network. In November 2008, MEMC 

Electronic Materials Inc. acquired Sun Edison LLC, a North American 

leader in the solar sector with branch offices in North America 

and Europe (see Figure 1). 

MEMC’s production facilities in Europe are operated by MEMC 

Electronic Materials S.p.A., which consists of the Merano factory 

(the subject of this Environmental Statement) and a factory in Novara 

(also the Group’s European headquarters). 

MEMC S.p.A.’s customers are leading companies operating in 

the microelectronic (IT, telecommunications, mobile telephony, 

high-fidelity, transport, electromedical products, industrial electronics) 

and solar photovoltaic sectors. 

At present, 50% of MEMC’s production in Merano is intended 

for the solar market, while 50% is for the microelectronic market. 

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. has been listed on the New York 

Stock Exchange since 1995 (symbol: WFR). 

Fig. 1 - MEMC in the world 

5


THE MERANO 

FACTORY 

MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A. - 

Merano Factory 

Via Nazionale, 59 

39012 Merano (BZ), Italy 

www.memc.com 

info@memc.it 

NACE rev. 2. code no.: 

20.13 

Manufacturer of other inorganic chemical products 

ISTAT (ATECO2003) code no.: 

24.130 

Manufacturer of other inorganic chemical products 

The MEMC site in Merano produces: 

polycrystalline and monocrystalline silicon for microelectronics 

and photovoltaics 

Dimensions of the site: 

Total area 100,723 m 2 

Covered area 23,516 m 2 

Open area 61,125 m 2 

Green area 16,082 m 2 

Certifications: 

Quality: 

ISO9002 in 1991 

ISO9001 in 1994 

QS9000 in 1999 

ISO9001:2000 in 2003 

ISO/TS 16949 in 2003 

Environmental: 

ISO14001 in 1999 

EMAS in 2002 

Safety: 

OHSAS 18001 in 2007 

Turnover of MEMC S.p.A. in 2009: 

184,355,000 Euros 

(data current on 31/12/2009) 

Manufacturing in a continuous cycle: 

weeks/year 52 

days/week 7 

8-hour shifts/day 3 

No. of employees: 444 

(34 with college degrees and 144 with high school diplomas) 

Grouped into the following departments: 

Production 297 

M&D / R&D 22 

Maintenance 37 

Facility innovation 22 

Equipment innovation 11 

Quality 2 

Administration, purchasing, import/export, 

personnel, etc. 38 

Safety, environment and security 15 

6


SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS 

IN 2009 

We continued to believe in alternative energy 

resources 

In 2009, SunEdison - the leading player in the photovoltaic solar 

sector in North America, which was acquired in November by 

MEMC Electronic Materials Inc. - received the necessary permits 

for developing and building a photovoltaic park in the province 

of Rovigo, which is in the Veneto region of Italy. 

With an installed capacity of 72 MW, the park will be the largest 

in Europe, as it will surpass two current European “megaparks” 

in Olmedilla, Spain (60 MW) and Strasskirchen, Germany (50 

MW). 

With such capacity, the system will generate enough energy in its 

first year of full operational capability to power 17,150 homes, 

thus contributing to “not release” 41,000 tons of carbon dioxide 

into the atmosphere: the equivalent of taking 8,000 cars off the 

road. 

We continued to develop know-how and 

efficiency 

With investments in projects for creating new “niche” products 

for applications of microelectronics, such as image sensors; with 

innovations in new plant systems with the best environmentally 

sustainable solutions; with a commitment to developing FBR - an 

energy-efficient technology for growing polycrystal; and with the 

construction of a district heating system. These projects actively 

involved our personnel, who incorporate the environmental variable 

into every idea aimed at developing and improving the 

company. 

We continued to respect the environment 

and the laws that protect it, as demonstrated 

by the information contained in 

this report. 

We continued to work hard to improve 

our local area 

In 2009, we took a series of steps which we hope will improve 

and strengthen our relationship with our local area - with schools, 

through projects whose purpose is to share our know-how on 

technology and sustainability with students; with the municipal 

government and the public transit company, through preparation 

of a “Plan for Home-Job Commuting” for our staff, whose goal is 

to help reduce traffic on local roads by promoting good habits 

such as car pooling, bicycling and public transit (for the future, 

we’re even considering agreements with local businesses for selling 

electric bicycles to our employees); and through sponsorships 

of local sports associations. 

7


MEMC‘s 

Policy 

MEMC’s Policy for the Environment, Health and Safety is a combination 

of objectives that the Company pursues to protect the 

environment and the health and safety of its staff and the local 

population. The Policy is established and signed by the managers 

of all departments at the Company, who thus express their full 

support and involvement. 

8


THE PRODUCTION PROCESS 

The Merano factory is subdivided into the following four basic 

departments: 

• polycrystal production (POLY area) 

• polycrystal sorting and crushing (LM area) 

• monocrystal production (CZ area) 

• quality control and shipments (CZ Services area) 

The production process is summarized in the following chart. 

INCOMING TET 

INCOMING TCS 

PURCHASED AND PRODUCED 

HYDROGEN 

POLY AREA 

TET HYDROGENATION 

TET 

TCS 

CHLOROSILANE 

PURIFICATION 

HYDROGEN 

PURIFICATION 

RECOVERED 

CHLOROSILANES 

DEPOSITING OF 

POLYCRYSTALLINE SILICON 

RECOVERED 

HYDROGEN 

LM AREA 

NUGGET 

PREPARATION 

PHOTOVOLTAIC 

POLYCRYSTALLINE 

SORTING AND 

PACKAGING 

PACKING AND 

SHIPMENT 

CZ AREA 

PREPARATION AND 

SELECTION OF DOPANT 

GROWTH OF 

MONOCRYSTAL BARS 

PREPARATION AND 

SELECTION OF GERMS 

CZS AREA 

INSPECTION AND 

SORTING 

PACKING AND 

SHIPMENT 

9


PRODUCTION 

The following data refer to trends in silicon production 

(monocrystal and polycrystal) in 2000-2009. 

The data show the positive trend over the last few years, which 

was partially due to the increasing demand for silicon on the 

solar photovoltaic market. 

Table 1 – Production 

PRODUCTION OF SILICION 

Year 

% t of silicon - 2000=100 

2000 100 

2001 71 

2002 78 

2003 87 

2004 100 

2005 112 

2006 118 

2007 136 

2008 146 

2009 154 

Graph 1 – Production trend 

200 

Quantity produced 

(2000 =100) 

150 

100 

50 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Poly 

Mono 

Total 

10


ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS 

The following paragraphs describe the importance MEMC attributes to its direct and indirect environmental aspects. The information 

on the environmental performance of its Merano factory is current as of 31 December 2009. 

Importance attributed to direct environmental aspects 

Very important 

Important 

Not important 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

ASPECTS 

IMPACT 

NORMAL 

CONDITIONS 

EMERGENCY 

CONDITIONS 

PREVIOUS 

CONDITIONS 

ENERGY RESOURCES 

Electrical energy consumption 

The primary impact consists of the use of this energy source 

by the producer of the energy. 

MEMC uses only hydroelectric power from RECS-certified 

SELTRADE SpA 

Fuel oil and diesel fuel consumption 

Consumption of fossil fuels 

Natural gas consumption 

WATER RESOURCES 

Industrial water consumption (groundwater) 

Consumption of water from aqueducts (drinking water) 

Consumption of groundwater and, to a lesser extent, of 

drinking water. Most of the water that is withdrawn is 

returned to the environment, even though its temperature 

and quality are lower than before. 

CONSUMPTION OF RAW MATERIALS 

CONSUMPTION OF AUXILIARY MATERIALS USED IN PRODUCTION 

Consumption of auxiliary materials used in production 

Consumption of renewable and non-renewable resources. 

Consumption of auxiliary materials for product testing 

Consumption of auxiliary materials for auxiliary plants 

Consumption of auxiliary materials for maintenance and 

services 

Consumption of paper, cardboard, wood, plastic 

ATMOSPHERIC EMISSIONS 

Emissions released into the atmosphere (HCl, HF, SOX, CO, 

CO2, dust, dust from combustion, organic substances) 

Emissions released into the atmosphere (NOX) 

Emissions dispersed into the atmosphere (combustion 

fumes) 

Air pollution on the local level, due mainly to the emission 

(albeit within legal limits) of dust and acidifying gases and 

particles (such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides, acids); 

and contribution to the greenhouse effect, due mainly to 

CO2 emissions produced by burning fuel oil, diesel fuel, 

natural gas and refrigerants. 

WATER DISCHARGES 

Water discharges (pH, COD, mineral oils, Cu, Zn, Cr, N, Cl-, 

suspended solids) 

Water discharges (fluorides) 

The Company’s discharged waste water flows into the 

municipal purification plant. The residues remaining after 

treatment are discharged into the Adige river. 

11



Importance attributed to direct environmental aspects 


Important 

Not important 

WASTE 

Special hazardous waste 

Special non-hazardous waste 

The impact mostly derives from subsequent transport and 

treatment of the waste produced by MEMC. 

If an accident occurs during transport from production 

departments to the specially-equipped waste storage area, 

the ground at the site may become contaminated with 

spilled hazardous substances. 

EXTERNAL NOISE 

CONTAMINATION OF SOIL 

PCB 

ODS 

ASBESTOS 

ODOURS 

Acoustic impact on the local level 

Contamination of the soil and of the surface aquifer, which 

is caused by substances used in the production process or by 

contaminants released accidentally. 

Contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer 

RADIATION 

VIBRATION 

VISUAL INTRUSION 

TRAFFIC 

EFFECTS ON BIODIVERSITY 

Contributes to local pollution and congestion during times 

and periods of heaviest travel 

12



Importance attributed to indirect environmental aspects 


Important 

Not important 

IN-HOUSE ACTIVITIES CONTRACTED OUT 

Maintenance and construction companies (building works, assembly, insulation, painting, electrical plants, excavation/earthworks, plant installation and 

maintenance, drainage, gardening) 

Cleaning of offices and departments, canteen services 

ACTIVITIES PERFORMED OUTSIDE THE FACTORY 

PURCHASING OF PRODUCTS/SERVICES 

Recycling/disposal of non-hazardous waste 

Recycling/disposal of hazardous waste 

Purchasing of raw materials (TET, TCS, hydrogen) 

Purchasing of hazardous chemicals 

Purchasing of non-hazardous chemicals, spare parts and other consumable materials 

Purchasing of electrical energy 

Purchasing of fuel oil and diesel fuel 

Purchasing of natural gas 

EXTERNAL TRANSPORT 

Transport of non-hazardous waste 

Transport of hazardous waste 

Transport of raw materials (dopants) 

Transport of raw materials (TET, TCS) 

Transport of hazardous chemicals 

Transport of non-hazardous chemicals, spare parts and other consumable materials 

Transport of product (silicon) 

Transport of product (HCl) 

Transport of persons 

PROCESSING/USE OF PRODUCT SUPPLIED BY MEMC 

Transformation of silicon 

Use of chips 

Use of photovoltaic cells 

Disposal of silicon 

Uses of hydrochloric acid 

ACTIVITIES IN LOCAL AREA 

Communication/awareness raising 

Social-economic impact 

13


DIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS 

Energy Resources 

The energy sources used in the Merano factory include electrical 

energy, fuel oil, diesel fuel and natural gas. 

Electrical energy accounts for almost all the energy consumed 

by the factory (see Table 2) and is mainly used in processes 

involved in the growth of (poly and mono) silicon crystals, 

the hydrogenation of TET into TCS, and the production of hydrogen. 

Electricity is supplied at high voltage and then transformed 

in on-site electrical substations for internal uses at medium and 

low voltage. 

Graph 2 shows data on the factory’s overall energy consumption 

in absolute and specific terms (expressed in TOE or 

Tons of Oil Equivalent) for each ton of silicon produced. Tables 

2 and 3 and Graphs 3 and 4 show the data broken down 

into separate energy sources. 

In 2009, overall consumption noticeably increased due to increased 

production, while specific consumption was virtually the 

same as in the previous year. 

Fuel oil with a low sulphur content is used to feed the boiler, 

which heats the thermal oil used in processes that purify and 

recycle chlorosilanes. 

Diesel fuel and natural gas are used to heat some of the 

factory buildings which are not served by the cooling water recovery 

system. Diesel fuel is also used in company vehicles (for 

internal movement, and for the emergency team), and to power 

emergency generators. 

Graph 2 – Overall energy consumption (GJ) 

Total consumption GJ 

1,200,000 

1,100,000 

1,000,000 

900,000 

800,000 

700,000 

600,000 

500,000 

400,000 

300,000 

200,000 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

1,000 

900 

800 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

Specific consumption (GJ/t silicon) 


GJ/t silicon 

14



Graph 3 – Electrical energy consumption 

Total consumption (GJ) 

1,400,000 

1,200,000 

1,000,000 

800,000 

600,000 

400,000 

200,000 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

140% 

120% 

100% 

80% 

60% 

40% 

Specific consumption (GJ/t silicon) 

Total Poly 

Total Mono 

Specific 

Table 2 – Electrical energy consumption 

ELECTRICAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION 

YEAR 

total 

SPECIFIC 

GJ GJ/t silicon % (2000=100) 

2000 1,008,000 677.7 100.0% 

2001 851,650 806.6 119.0% 

2002 836,083 724.7 106.9% 

2003 886,734 684.6 101.0% 

2004 918,644 619.9 91.5% 

2005 946,860 566.2 91.3% 

2006 948,233 542.1 80.1% 

2007 1,011,558 500.0 73.8% 

2008 1,051,610 482.9 71.3% 

2009 1,130,981 492.6 72.7% 

Graph 4 - Consumption of fuels 

100,000 

100.0 


90,000 

80,000 

70,000 

60,000 

50,000 

40,000 

30,000 

20,000 

90.0 

80.0 

70.0 

60.0 

50.0 

40.0 

30.0 

20.0 

10.0 

Specific consumption (GJ / t silicon) 

10,000 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

0.0 

Fuel oil GJ 

Diesel fuel GJ Natural Gas GJ GJ/t silicon 

15



Table 3 – Consumption of fuels 

YEAR 

Fuel oil 

GJ 

OVERALL CONSUMPTION Specific Trend 

Diesel fuel 

GJ 

Natural gas 

GJ 

GJ/t silicon (2000 = 100) 

2000 74,650.6 1,444.4 749.4 50.2 100 

2001 74,566.9 1,360.7 728.5 71.2 142 

2002 66,318.9 1,071.8 695.0 58.6 117 

2003 55,182.0 1,239.3 724.3 46.1 92 

2004 61,442.2 1,093.6 567.3 42.6 85 

2005 60,609.2 1,578.5 716.7 37.6 56 

2006 67,319.8 1,513.5 732.7 39.8 79 

2007 64,090.7 1,637.5 857.9 32.9 66 

2008 62,284.1 749.3 944.1 29.4 60 

2009 63,320.5 1,309.2 643.9 28.4 57 

Notes on the units of measurement used 

Starting this year, in compliance with EMAS III regulations, the GJ 

is used as the unit of measurement for energy consumption and 

energy efficiency. 

The following conversion factors were used when calculating the 

various indicators in joules: 

• 1 MWh = 3.6 GJ (for electrical energy) 

• 1 TOE = 41,868 GJ (for fuels) 

(sources: IEA; ENEA; World Energy Council) 

The decision to start from TOE when expressing fuel consumption 

in GJ was based on two “practical” reasons: most importantly, 

because MEMC must still report its energy consumption figures 

in TOE to FIRE every year, so these values must in any case be 

calculated by our Energy Manager; furthermore, unambiguous 

formulas for calculating energy consumption in joules from other 

units of measurement were not found for all the fuels used by the 

company. For example, Legis. Decree no. 115 dated 30 May 

08 and directive EC/32/2006 on the efficiency of final uses of 

energy and energy services provides conversion factors only for 

fuel oil and natural gas. 

Energy consumption in TOE is calculated by applying the following 

conversion factors, as set out in MICA memorandum 

no. 219/F dated 2 March 1992 “Article 19 of Italian Law no. 

10/1991“. Obligation to name and receive an annual report 

from a Technical Specialist responsible for the conservation and 

intelligent use of energy”: 

• Diesel fuel: 1 t = 1.08 TOE 

• Fuel oil: 1 t = 0.98 TOE 

• Natural gas: 

1000 Nm3 = 0.82 TOE 

• Electrical energy supplied at high voltage: 

1 MWh = 0.23 TOE. 

16



Water resources 

Table 4 lists data on the collection of groundwater for industrial 

use and for obtaining drinking water. The collection of groundwater 

is also shown in Graph 5. 

In 2009, no significant changes occurred in the consumption of 

water for industrial use or for obtaining drinking water. 

In particular, drinking water is still used mostly in the cafeteria, 

in bathrooms, and for testing emergency fixtures (showers and 

eye washing stations). The increase in absolute terms in the consumption 

of drinking water as compared with previous years was 

caused by its additional use by personnel from outside firms who 

were working in the construction site that was opened to expand 

the facility. 

Table 4 – Water collected for use 

WATER CONSUMPTION GROUND WATER 

YEAR 

Total 

Specific 

Mm³/year m³/kg silicon % 

2000 14.64 9.8 100 

2001 13.53 12.8 130 

2002 13.88 12.0 94 

2003 13.28 10.3 85 

2004 12.65 8.5 83 

2005 11.72 7.0 82 

2006 11.31 6.5 66 

2007 11.29 5.6 57 

2008 10.60 4.9 49 

2009 11.35 4.9 50 

WATER CONSUMPTION DRINKING WATER 

YEAR 

Total 

Specific 

Mm3 / year m3/person % 

2000 48,222 91.70 100 

2001 47,615 96.90 106 

2002 39,003 86.30 94 

2003 27,442 63.50 69 

2004 32,543 75.92 83 

2005 41,778 99.24 108 

2006 41,112 100.27 109 

2007 50,868 121.99 133 

2008 47,912 112.73 123 

2009 64,124 106.87 117 

Graph 5 – Consumption of groundwater 

16 

14 

Total consumption (Mil m3) 

14 

12 

10 

8 

12 

10 

8 

6 

Specific consumption m3/kg of silicon 

6 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

4 

Annual consumption 

Specific consumption 

17



Consumption of raw and 

auxiliary materials 

Table 5 and Graphs 6 and 7 show the trend in specific consumption 

of chlorosilanes and hydrogen as compared with the year 

2000, which is used as the year of reference. 

Likewise, hydrogen consumption does not include the portion produced 

by the factory itself, because we believe that the product 

purchased on the market has greater impact on the environment. 

To this end, we must point out that over the last few years, chlorosilanes 

have not been used only to produce polycrystals. Some 

of this material is also used to produce the precious mixtures that 

are employed to grow expitaxial substrates. 

Table 5 – Consumption of chlorosilanes and hydrogen 

YEAR 

CONSUMPTION OF RAW MATERIALS 

Chlorosilanes 

% t/t of Poly 

2000 = 100 

Hydrogen 

% t/ of Poly 

2000 = 100 

2000 100 100 

2001 100 237 

2002 99 175 

2003 100 190 

2004 97 179 

2005 101 173 

2006 101 102 

2007 99 127 

2008 86 106 

2009 84 85 

Graph 6 – Consumption of chlorosilanes (in equivalent t of TET) 

Annual consumption, % ( 2000=100 ) 

200 

150 

100 

50 

0 

125 

100 

75 

50 

25 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Specific consumption (t/t Poly) 

Total consumption 


18



Graph 7 – Consumption of hydrogen 

350 

350 

Specific consumption (m³/t Poly) 

300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

300 

250 

200 

150 

100 

Annual consumption, normalized (2000=100) 

50 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

50 

Total consumption 


19



The following table shows data for hazardous chemicals and 

preparations of which more than 100 kilograms are used annually 

in production activities and auxiliary processes. 

Table 6 – Consumption of auxiliary materials 

CONSUMPTION (in t) 

AUXILIARY MATERIALS DANGER SYMBOL 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Hydrochloric Acid 37% Corrosive 2.1 1.5 2.2 2.4 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.2 

Hydrofluoric Acid 40% Corrosive, 

18.9 18.5 24.8 33.6 33.5 36.6 36.9 26.5 20.6 16.4 

Highly toxic 

Nitric Acid 

Corrosive 0.7 0.6 1.1 0.5 1.2 3.2 5.4 4.8 3.6 3.0 

65% - 70% 

Mixture HNO3/HF/ Corrosive, Toxic 378.1 267.1 315.5 371.5 362.5 325.8 302.7 247.0 231.5 218.1 

acetic acid 

Caustic Potash 50% Corrosive 32.0 27.3 27.1 30.8 15.6 44.7 25.7 46.4 52.2 68.8 

Caustic Soda 50% Corrosive 882.8 423.3 495.0 787.0 1,355.9 853.3 924.9 1,088.5 1,201.6 1,152.4 

Ammonia 30% Corrosive, 

0.8 0.4 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 

Environmental hazard 

Chromic Anhydride 30% Corrosive, Toxic 2.6 2.5 3.7 4.8 4.7 3.3 2.7 1.7 1.1 1.0 

Oxygenated Water Corrosive 5.5 5.7 8.6 8.7 8.6 8.9 9.1 8.0 4.4 3.8 

30-33% 

Ethyl and isopropyl Highly inflammable, 1.8 0.9 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.6 1.4 0.8 1.4 0.9 

alcohol 

irritant 

Solveclean Harmful - - - 0.2 0.6 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.8 

Fluid combustible oil Toxic 1,832.7 1,816.9 1,616.4 1,344.7 1,497.5 1,473.2 1,640.7 1,562.2 1,518.0 1,543.3 

Diesel Toxic 32.7 33.6 25.6 17.4 22.1 20.1 39.0 36.2 16.6 29.0 

Freon 22 Environmental hazard 2.5 2.3 3.0 3.6 6.8 5.6 8.3 8.1 5.4 8.0 

The consumption of diesel fuel increased in 2009 due to the 

need to heat a new engineering workshop and a new warehouse 

for reserve stocks of materials. 

The increase in consumption of potash, on the other hand, was 

caused by a greater level of hydrogenation that, in turn, was associated 

with the production of polycrystal. 

Decreased monocrystal production and a simultaneous increase 

in silicon production for the photovoltaic solar market (which 

requires different monitoring procedures that use less reagents 

as compared with the amounts needed for producing silicon for 

the microelectronic market) are the reasons behind the reduced 

consumption of hydrofluoric acid, nitric acid, acid mixtures and 

chromium trioxide. 

With regard to the consumption of Freon, a ban on the use of 

virgin HCFCs for the maintenance and repair of equipment went 

into effect on January 1, 2010. Thus, as much Freon as possible 

was loaded from warehouse stocks into the system last December. 

20



Atmospheric Emissions 

The figure below is a schematic illustration of the operations/ 

processes that generate significant amounts of atmospheric emissions, 

and of the abatement systems used and the substances 

released. 

Table 7 shows the results of the 2009 monitoring campaign: All 

the emissions analyzed were within the prescribed limits. 

Emissions at the plant are authorized by the Province of Bolzano, 

Italy (with integrated environmental authorization no. 1779 dated 

18 June 2008, supplemented by authorization with file no. 

519528 dated 16 Sept 2009 for three new points of emission 

that are planned for the production of highly doped monocrystal 

silicon). 

HEATING PLANTS 

SO x, NO x, CO, CO ², DUST 

ATTACK BY ACIDS 

NO x, HF, HCI, CR 

FUMES VENTED FROM 

HCL STOCKS 

HCI 

ABATEMENT SYSTEMS USING 

WATER (scrubbers) 

LOW TEMPERATURE RECOVERY 

OF VENTED FUMES - 

HYDROGEN WASH 

HCI 

CENTRAL SUCTION SYSTEM - 

MONOCRYSTAL DEPT. 

SILICON DUST 

REMOVAL OF GRAPHITE FROM 

MONOCRYSTAL 

GRAPHITE DUST 

MECHANICAL FILTERS 

ATMOSPHERE 

MACHINING 

SILICON DUST 

PAINTING CABIN 

DUST VOC 

CUTTERS 

SILICON DUST 

CZS MACHINING 

SILICON DUST 

MECHANICAL 

FILTERS 

SANDBLASTING 

CABIN 

DUST 

MECHANICAL 

FILTERS 

21



Table 7 – Atmospheric emissions. Concentration and mass flows 

POINT DESCRIPTION PARAMETER AMOUNT 

MEASURED 

LEGAL 

LIMIT 

(*) 

HOURLY MASS 

FLOW 

DAILY MASS 

FLOW 

ANNUAL MASS 

FLOW 

MONITORING 

FREQUENCY 

(*) 

E3 

E4 

Hydrochloric acid 

released from Poly dept. 

Hydrochloric acid 

mg/Nm3 mg/m3 kg/hR kg/dkg kg/y 

0.64 30 < 0.00064 < 0.015 < 5.598 Annual 

Total dust 67.94 80 0.56864 13.647 4,981.296 Annual 

B1d Oxygen 6.32 3% 0.02465 0.592 215.951 Annual 

B1e Oxygen 6.25 3% 0.02800 0.672 245.249 Annual 

B1d Nitrogen oxides 250.66 400 0.97756 23.461 8,563.441 Annual 

Fuel oil-fired heating 

B1e Nitrogen oxides 359.81 400 1.61121 38.669 14,114.175 Annual 

plant 

B1d Sulphur oxides 82.83 1700 0.32303 7.753 2,829.750 Annual 

B1e Sulphur oxides 66.69 1700 0.29865 7.168 2,616.161 Annual 

B1d Carbon monoxide 26.45 100 0.10315 2.476 903.629 Annual 

B1e Carbon monoxide 10.83 100 0.04849 1.164 424.770 Annual 

E5 

E12 

E13 

E16 

E17 

E20 

E25 

Discharge of residues 

from ventilation hoods 

after acid cleaning in 

POLY, MONO, LM, CZS 

depts. 

Emissions from graphite 

cleaning in CZB dept. 

Centralized emissions 

from CZA dept. 

Emissions from graphite 

cleaning in CZB dept. 


from CZB dept. 

Discharge from silicon 

dust abatement plant in 

LM dept. 

Diesel fuel-fired heating 

plant for painting cabin 

Hydrochloric acid 1.52 30 0.02516 0.604 220.405 Annual 

Hydrochloric acid < 0.01 5 < 0.00017 < 0.004 < 1.449 Annual 

Total chromium < 0.01 5 < 0.00017 < 0.004 < 1.449 Annual 

Nitrogen oxides 0.08 50 0.00139 0.033 12.172 Annual 

Total dust - 30 - - - Biennial 

SiO2 - 5 - - - Biennial 








Total dust 1.00 80 0.00028 0.001 0.138 Biennial 

Nitrogen oxides 111.31 150 0.03072 0.061 15.361 Biennial 

Sulphur oxides 2.00 1700 0.00055 0.001 0.276 Biennial 

Carbon monoxide 10.21 100 0.00282 0.006 1.409 Biennial 

Oxygen 9.06 3% 0.00250 0.005 1.251 Biennial 

Bacharach index - 1 - - - 

22



E26 

E27 

E32 

E33 

Discharge from pointing 

cabin V.O.C. 

Discharge from sandblasting 

cabin 


from CZB dept. 

Emissions from grinding 

operations in CZS dept. 

Total dust < 1.00 3 0.2526 0,076 18.957 Annual 

V.O.C. 19.79 150 (**) 0.49993 1.5 374.952 Annual 

Total dust 3.49 30 0.01992 0.04 9.958 Biennial 





E34 

(E21) 

Emissions from cutters 

CZS dept. 



(*) Integrated Environmental Authorization, Prot. no. 1779 dated 18/06/2008, section a) Air Sector and Attachment A 

(**) For information regarding authorization to release volatile organic compounds (V.O.C.), see part 1, point 5 of Attachment C to Italian Provincial Law no. 

8 dated 16 March 2000. This law subdivides the V.O.C. into four classes with different prescribed emission limits that depend on the class and the mass 

flow involved. 

The legislation specifies that the total concentration of compounds belonging to the same class may not exceed the limits indicated for that class, and that the 

total concentration of all compounds analyzed may not exceed the limit indicated for the highest class. 

While the monitoring performed by an accredited laboratory shows compliance with the limits for each class, this table only shows the aggregate data. 

The following tables and graphs show estimated carbon dioxide 

emissions generated from the combustion of fuel oil, diesel fuel 

and natural gas, and the estimated emission of carbon dioxide 

equivalent calculated from the consumption of the refrigerant gases 

known as R22 and R23. 

The data show a reduction in the atmospheric emissions from 

combustion and refrigerant gases (due to reduced consumption 

of fuel oil and refrigerant gases R22 and R23). 

Table 8 – CO 2 -Carbon dioxide emissions 

CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS 

Year 

Fuel oil 

kt of CO2 

Diesel fuel 

kt ofCO ² 

Annual specific trend 

Natural gas 

kt of CO2 

Total from 

combustion 

kt of CO ² 

Overall 

kt CO2/t of silicon 

% 

2000 5.474 0.1107 0.042 5.623 0.004 100 

2001 5.466 0.101 0.041 5.608 0.005 100 

2002 4.863 0.079 0.040 4.982 0.004 89 

2003 4.046 0.092 0.041 4.179 0.003 74 

2004 4.505 0.081 0.032 4.618 0.003 82 

2005 4.355 0.126 0.033 4.515 0.003 80 

2006 4.936 0.112 0.041 5.089 0.003 91 

2007 5.015 0.115 0.049 5.179 0.003 92 

2008 4.775 0.057 0.044 4.876 0.002 87 

2009 4.779 0.099 0.030 4.908 0.002 87 

23



Graph 8 – Carbon dioxide emissions 

Total quantity (kt CO2/ year) 

10.000 

9.000 

8.000 

7.000 

6.000 

5.000 

4.000 

3.000 

2.000 

1.000 

0.000 

Emissions of CO2 generated by combustion 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

0.010 

0.009 

0.008 

0.008 

0.007 

0.006 

0.006 

0.005 

0.004 

0.003 

0.003 

0.002 

0.001 

0.001 

0.000 

Specific quantity (kt CO2/ of tsilicon) 

Fuel oil GJ 

Diesel fuel 

Natural Gas 

Specific 

Table 9 – Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions 

Year 

CARBON DIOXIDE EQUIVALENT EMISSIONS 

Annual specific trend 

Total 

Total ktCO 

R22 ktCO ² 

R 23 ktCO ² 

R507 ktCO ² 

/t 

² ktCO of silicon 

² 

% 

2000 3.7 70.3 0.0 74.0 0.05 100 

2001 3.5 38.0 0.0 41.5 0.04 80 

2002 4.5 57.6 0.0 62.1 0.05 100 

2003 5.4 58.0 0.0 63.4 0.05 100 

2004 10.1 60.0 0.0 70.1 0.05 100 

2005 8.4 170.2 0.0 178.6 0.11 220 

2006 12.4 90.2 0.0 102.6 0.06 120 

2007 12.2 22.5 0.0 34.6 0.02 47 

2008 8.1 14.0 0.0 22.1 0.01 30 

2009 12.0 0.0 0.0 12.0 0.01 16 

24



Graph 9 – Carbon dioxide equivalent emissions 

Total quantity (kt CO2/ year) 

Emissions of equivalent CO2 (values projected 100 years into future) 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

1 

0.9 

0.8 

0.7 

0.6 

0.5 

0.4 

0.3 

0.2 

0.1 

0 

Specific quantity (kt CO2/ of tsilicon) 

R22 

R23 

R507 

Specific 

Greenhouse gas emissions are monitored by MEMC voluntarily. 

In fact, the factory is not included in the field of application 

of European Parliament and Council Directive 2003/87/EC, 

which implemented a system to trade greenhouse gas emissions 

within the European Union. Among other obligations, it requires 

obtaining authorization to emit greenhouse gases and mandates 

monitoring of emissions over time, with certification of the results 

of the monitoring by an accredited body. 

MEMC has identified its greenhouse gas sources as the combustion 

of fossil fuels (diesel fuel, fuel oil and natural gas) and the 

emission of refrigerant gases (R22 and R23). 

Combustion generates carbon dioxide (CO2), which is the main 

gas causing the greenhouse effect. The quantity of CO2 emitted 

by MEMC in Merano is estimated by multiplying the consumption 

of combustibles by the following conversion factors: 

• Between 2000 – 2006, the factors indicated in the CIPE 

(Italian Interministerial Economic Planning Committee) Resolution 

dated 25th February 1994 entitled “Approval of a National Program 

to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2000 to the levels 

in 1990” are as follows: 

• Diesel fuel 1 TOE = 3.10 t CO 2 

• Fuel oil 1 TOE = 3.07 t CO 2 

• Natural gas 1 TOE = 2.35 t CO 2 

• Since 2007, the factors indicated in Italian Directorial Decree 

no. Dec/Ras/854/05 dated 1 July 2005 promulgated by the 

Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory and by the Italian 

Ministry of Productive Activities have been as follows: 

• Diesel fuel 1 ton = 3.173 t CO 2 

• Fuel oil 1 ton = 3.21 t CO 2 

• Natural gas 1 Std m3= 1.966 t CO 2 

• In 2009, the factors indicated in Resolution no. 14/2009 

from the Italian Ministry for the Environment and for Territorial Protection 

and by the Italian Ministry of Productive Activities, regarding 

notification of greenhouse gas emissions pursuant to Directive 

2003/87/EC, which updated the coefficients contained in the 

Directorial Decree cited above, were as follows 

• Diesel fuel 1 ton = 3.173 t CO 2 

• Fuel oil 1 ton = 3.16 t CO 2 

• Natural gas 1 Std m3= 1.957 t CO 2 

As for refrigerant gases, a calculation was made of emissions in 

terms of “carbon dioxide equivalent” by multiplying the consumption 

of gas by the following GWP (Global Warming Potential): 

• R22 (CHClF2 chlorodifluoromethane): GWP (100 years) = 

1500 (source: IFC Inc USA si GHG Protocol Initiative) 

• R23 (CHF3 trifluoromethane): GWP (100 years) = 

11700 (source: IPCC Second Assessment Report, 1996) 

The Global Warming Potential (GWP) represents the ratio between 

the warming caused by a gas over 100 years and the 

warming caused by the same quantity of carbon dioxide (CO2) 

during the same period. Therefore the value of carbon dioxide 

is one. 

25



Water Discharges 

The layout of factory water discharges is shown schematically in 

the following figure. It shows the activities and processes that generate 

water discharges, the substances they contain, and the on 

and off-site treatment systems in which the discharges are channelled 

to reduce the pollutant load to the final receiving body. 

Factory discharges were authorized by the Province of Bolzano 

(with Integrated Environmental Authorization no. 1779 dated 

18th June 2008) and by the City of Merano. 

RAIN WATER AND 

PIEZOMETERS 

CUTTERS IN CZS DEPT. 

OIL SLIME 

COLLECTION TANK 

MECHANICAL 

ABATEMENT 

Suspended solids 

EQUALIZATION 

TANK 

ADIGE RIVER 

CUTTERS IN LM DEPT. 

OIL SLIME 

COLLECTION TANK 

COOLING 

WATER 

ACID EMISSIONS TREATMENT 

ATTACK BY ACIDS 

BALANCE TANK 

CHEMICAL-PHYSICAL 

TREATMENT 

Chlorides, fluorides, nitrogen 

HYDROGEN WASH 

BALANCE 

TANK 

WASTE TREATMENT 

PLANT 

MECHANICAL 

WORKSHOP 

DEOILER 

Organic substances 

MUNICIPAL WASTE WATER 

Organic substances 

RAIN WATER 

RIO SINIGO 

Stream 

OVERFLOW FROM COLLECTION 

TANKS FOR COOLING, EMERGENCY 

AND FIREFIGHTING WATER 

The following table and graph show the water volumes directly discharged into the Adige River, which receives most of the effluents 

from the manufacturing process. 

26



Table 10 – Water discharges 

FINAL WATER DISCHARGE - QUANTITY DISCHARGED 

YEAR 

Water discharged into a body of water Water discharged into a treatment plant Water collected Discharged / collected 

Mil m³/year Mil m³/year Mil m³/ year % 

2000 14.34 - 14.64 98 

2001 13.34 - 13.53 99 

2002 13.78 - 13.88 99 

2003 13.29 0.05 13.29 100 

2004 12.47 0.06 12.65 99 

2005 11.27 0.06 11.72 97 

2006 11.05 0.10 11.31 99 

2007 10.93 0.10 11.29 98 

2008 10.16 0.09 10.60 97 

2009 10.27 0.12 11.35 92 

27



Graph 10 – Water discharges 

Quantity discharged ( Mil m3 ) 

16 

14 

12 

10 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

105 

100 

95 

90 

Water discharged % water discharged / water collected 

Trend (% water discharged / water collected) 

The following tables and graphs show the amounts of nitrous nitrogen, nitric nitrogen, fluorides and chlorides discharged directly into 

the Adige River. The amounts analyzed are within prescribed limits. 

YEAR 

Limit (*) 

NITROUS NITROGEN (as N) 

Maximum 

concentration 

Average 

concentration 

mg/ liter mg/ liter mg/ liter 

2000 0.6 0.10 0.07 

2001 0.6 0.17 0.08 

2002 0.6 0.10 0.06 

2003 0.6 0.06 0.01 

2004 0.6 0.02 0.02 

2005 0.6 0.02 0.02 

2006 0.6 0.006 0.004 

2007 0.6 0.020 0.01 

2008 0.6 0.020 0.011 

2009 0.6 0.030 0.015 

YEAR 

Limit (*) 

FLUORIDES 

Maximum 

concentration 

Average 

concentration 


2000 6 1.7 0.6 

2001 6 0.5 0.4 

2002 6 2.2 0.5 

2003 6 0.4 0.3 

2004 6 0.8 0.4 

2005 6 0.5 0.4 

2006 6 0.5 0.3 

2007 6 2.1 0.5 

2008 6 0.5 0.4 

2009 6 0.5 0.4 

YEAR 

Limit (*) 

NITRIC NITROGEN (as N) 

Maximum 

concentration 

Average 

concentration 


2000 20 10.1 5.6 

2001 20 8.4 4.8 

2002 20 8.6 5.6 

2003 20 6.4 2.7 

2004 20 3.6 2.4 

2005 20 5.7 2.9 

2006 20 2.4 2.0 

2007 20 2.17 1.98 

2008 20 2.3 2.2 

2009 20 4.7 2.5 

YEAR 

Limit (*) 

CHLORIDES 

Maximum 

concentration 

Average 

concentration 


2000 1200 524.0 136.5 

2001 1200 488.8 75.2 

2002 1200 381.0 57.6 

2003 1200 348.0 22.1 

2004 1200 12.0 8.0 

2005 1200 12.0 9.8 

2006 1200 12.8 8.6 

2007 1200 20.0 9.71 

2008 1200 16.5 11.14 

2009 1200 12 8.67 

(*) Since 2002, the reference limits have been those set forth by Italian Provincial Law no. 8 dated 18th June 2002. 

28



Water Discharge Nitrous Nitrogen (N-No²) Legal Limite Maximum Value Average Value 

mg/liter 

0.7 

0.6 

0.5 

0.4 

0.3 

0.2 

0.1 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Water Discharge Nitric Nitrogen (N-No3) 

mg/liter 

25 

20 

15 

10 

5 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

mg/liter 

7 

6 

5 

4 

3 

2 

1 

0 

Water Discharge Fluorides F 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Water Discharge Chlorides Cl 

mg/liter 

1400 

1200 

1000 

800 

600 

400 

200 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

29



Waste 

Special non-hazardous and 

hazardous waste 

The following diagrams illustrate the waste produced and include 

information on the activities causing it, the way it is handled onsite, 

and its final destination (recycling/recovery or disposal). 

Figure 2 – Diagram showing the treatment of special non-hazardous waste 

PROCESS 

GRAPHITE 

AMORPHOUS SILICON FROM HCL RECOVERY 

QUARTZ AND QUARTZ MIXED WITH SILICON 

METALLIC SILICON AND SILICON SCRAPS FOR TESTING 

SEPARATED COLLECTION IN FACTORY 

DEPARTMENTS AND AT THE 

WASTE STORAGE CENTER 

SHIPMENT FOR DISPOSAL 

(IN 2004 ONLY) 

PACKING MATERIALS 

MAINTENANCE 

PAPER AND CARDBOARD- 

PLASTIC 

WOOD 

GLASS 

COPPER WIRE AND 

CABLE 

IRON AND STEEL 




SHIPMENT FOR RECYCLING 

OFFICES 

PAPER AND CARDBOARD 

TONER 

CARE OF GREEN AREAS 

PLANT MATERIALS FOR COMPOST 

TREATMENT PLANTS 

FLUORIDE AND CHROMIUM SLUDGE 

SILICON SLUDGE FROM CZS 

VARIOUS OPERATIONS 

URBAN-TYPE WASTE 

BULKY WASTE 

OTHER CODES FOR OCCASIONAL 

WASTE 




SHIPMENT FOR DISPOSAL 

30



Figure 3 – Diagram showing the treatment of special hazardous waste 

ORDINARY MAINTENANCE 

USED OIL 

OIL FILTERS 

LEAD-ACID BATTERIES 

COLLECTION IN BARRELS 

IN FACTORY DEPTS. 

TEMP. STORAGE IN 

WASTE CENTER 

TRANSFER TO WASTE 

COLLECTION CONSORTIUMS 

SOLVENTS 

SEDIMENT FROM SILANE PURIFICATION COLUMNS 

SLUDGE FROM DEOILER 


WASTE CENTER 

SHIPMENT FOR 

DISPOSAL 

WASTE WATER 

TREATMENT 

OCCASIONAL WASTE 

SILICON SLUDGE (LM DEPT.) 

HUMAN WASTE 

OBSOLETE REAGENTS 

ABSORBENT POWDERS 

(FOR ABSORBING ACCIDENTAL SPILLS) 

SLUDGE FROM CLEANING 

OF TANKS AND VATS 


WASTE CENTER 

SHIPMENT FOR 

DISPOSAL 

The following table and graph show the total amounts of special 

waste produced by the factory. The table highlights the quantities 

sent for recycling and for disposal, as well as the quantity of 

waste produced per ton of silicon. 

sent for recycling decreased after peaking last year, which was 

partially due to the almost total recycling of silica and of certain 

materials derived from demolition and maintenance operations 

(iron and copper in particular). 

It is noted that in 2009, overall production of waste increased 

slightly due to an increase in the production of silicon and to 

maintenance operations performed during the year. The portion 

Table 11 – Waste production 

YEAR 

WASTE PRODUCTION 

waste disposed of waste recycled total waste specific waste % recycled waste out of 

total waste 

t/ year t/ year t/ year t/t Si 

2000 678 508 1,186 0.80 43% 

2001 523 567 1,090 1.03 52% 

2002 195 711 906 0.79 78% 

2003 704 841 1,545 1.19 54% 

2004 692 444 1,136 0.77 39% 

2005 833 398 1,230 0.74 32% 

2006 775 290 1,065 0.61 27% 

2007 557 573 1,130 0.56 51% 

2008 397 765 1,162 0.53 66% 

2009 733 696 1,429 0.62 49% 

31



Graph 11 – Waste production 

1,800 

2,0 

Annual production (t) 

1,500 

1,200 

900 

600 

1,6 

1,2 

0,8 

Specific production (t/t of silicon) 

300 

0,4 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

Disposed of Recycled Total specific waste 

0,0 

The following table and graph show the production trends for 

hazardous waste alone, both in terms of absolute and 

specific amounts. As we have seen in previous Environmental 

Statements, hazardous waste is mostly generated during special 

maintenance operations closely tied to production trends, or in 

any case which were planned for periods exceeding one year. 

Specifically in 2009, chlorosilanes were cleaned out of the depuration 

columns more frequently, maintenance operations were 

performed on the De Nora cells, and several pieces of equipment 

containing hazardous substances were sent out for disposal. 

The increase in waste output is mainly due to the start-up of large 

sites for the development of polycrystal production. 

In 2009, reclamation operations generated 30,000 tons of soil, 

which were handled by an authorized treatment company so that 

they could be used as filler, pursuant to authorization by the Provincial 

Agency for the Environment of the Autonomous Province 

of Bolzano. The amount of filler was 14000 m3 (see also the 

chapter “Reclamation: Ensuring the Safety and Protection of the 

Soil and Groundwater”). This data was not combined with the 

quantity of waste shown in the table, so that a comparison can 

be made with previous years. 

Table 12 - Special hazardous waste 

HAZARDOUS WASTE PRODUCTION 

YEAR 

yearly 

t/year 

t/year/t silicon 

specific 

% waste production: 2000 

= 100 

% hazardous waste out of 

total waste 

2000 37 0.03 100 3% 

2001 77 0.07 233 7% 

2002 34 0.03 100 4% 

2003 13 0.01 33 1% 

2004 43 0.03 72 4% 

2005 61 0.04 133 5% 

2006 78 0.04 133 7% 

2007 102 0.05 167 9% 

2008 143 0.07 233 12% 

2009 198 0.09 287 14% 

32



Graph 12 – Special hazardous waste 

220 

Annual production (t) 

200 

180 

160 

140 

120 

100 

80 

60 

40 

0.10 

0.08 

0.04 

0.02 

Specific production (t/t of silicon) 

20 

0 

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 

0.00 

Total waste produced 

Specific waste produced 

Reclamation: Ensuring the 

Safety and Protection of Soil 

and Groundwater 

MEMC is strongly committed to protecting the soil and groundwater, 

and for some time has collaborated with professionals in 

this sector to reduce the toxic debt generated on-site by past 

operations. MEMC’s reclamation activities over the years, and 

monitoring activities currently in progress, were fully described in 

the 2004 and 2007 Environmental Statements. See these Statements 

for further information. 

Further contamination of the soil or groundwater is unlikely, given 

the equipment and the technical and supervisory measures now 

being taken. 

In 2009, the selection and reclamation of soil excavated for our 

expansion project continued, in accordance with procedures 

contained in plans approved by the City of Merano and the Province 

of Bolzano. As occurred in the past, soil with contamination 

exceeding the thresholds allowed by law was sent to authorized 

disposal plants, and soil whose characteristics permitted its reuse 

were employed for the necessary filling inside the production facility. 

Groundwater barrier and monitoring operations are continuing 

as part of a project approved and authorized by the Provincial 

Agency for the Environment (Prot. no. 29.6/62.07.07/2593 

dated 13 May 2004). 

Noise 

The Integrated Environmental Authorization 

dated 18th June 2008 issued by the Province 

of Bolzano, and Italian Decree of the President 

of the Province no. 39/2008, prescribe compliance 

with the following limits: 

Values to comply with: 

Day (6.00 am - 10.00 pm) Night (10.00 pm - 6.00 am) 

IEA DPP IEA DPP 

At factory boundary 70 db (A) 65 db (A) 70 db (A) 65 db (A) 

At surrounding homes 55 db (A) - 45 db (A) - 

33



The authorization mandates annual monitoring. Therefore, we 

will continue monitoring our acoustic impact by taking annual 

measurements based on our internal monitoring program, barring 

significant process changes or justified requests by those 

involved. 

This is also in response to the results of the last monitoring operation 

performed from October to November 2009, which was 

carried out by an expert who is a member of the provincial register 

of acoustic technicians. The results, which are summarized in 

the following figure, are all within the prescribed limits. 

Point of measure 

(see map) 

LAeq by Day 

in dBA 

LAeq by Night 

in dBA 

1 59.0 59.0 

2 55.0 50.0 

3 61.0 60.5 

4 58.4 56.0 

5 56.0 50.0 

6 58.0 55.0 

7 57.0* 53.0* 

8 60.0* 54.0* 

9 64.0* 56.0* 

10 63.0* 60.0* 

11 64.0* 56.0* 

12 63.0* 51.5* 

13 64.0* 58.0* 

14 64.0 53.5 

* It was impossible to eliminate the added noise produced by vehicular 

traffic at these points. Such noise proved to be the predominant part of 

the noise produced by operations at the production facility. 

Polychlorinated Biphenyls and Asbestos 

The considerations on these aspects set out in previous Environmental Statements remain unvaried. 

34


INDIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS 

The indirect environmental aspects that MEMC regards as important 

are: 

• managing relations with suppliers offering materials or 

services that are critical to the environment and to safety; 

• the activities of third parties operating on-site; 

• the purchase and transport of hazardous goods; 

• communication activities. 

Managing Relations with Critical 

Suppliers 

The selection of critical suppliers is made on the basis of specific 

technical, economic, qualitative and environmental criteria. 

These criteria are assessed by a suitable company committee 

based on MEMC’s vendor rating procedure before orders are 

assigned and, subsequently, at regular periodic intervals. Part 

of this evaluation process is based on the evidence provided 

by the candidates concerning the precautions they take to protect 

the environment: This may include EMAS registration, or ISO 

14001 certification, for example. In their absence, the adoption 

of specific operational or procedural precautions is considered 

favourably. This applies especially when evaluating small or very 

small local companies typical of the Alto Adige business system 

that collaborate with MEMC in particular for maintenance work, 

as described in the next section. 

Suppliers of waste management services (those enterprises involved 

in the collection, transport, recycling and disposal of the 

waste produced by MEMC) are subjected to further checks. In 

fact, all mandatory documents are checked in order to confirm 

the adequacy and completeness of legal authorizations to carry 

out the activities, and the operating site is inspected. 

In particular, the Isolazioni Termiche di Agosti Romano company, 

in 2009, offered innovative materials and solutions - with low 

environmental impact - for thermally insulating the plant systems at 

the factory. These included lighter, less bulky heat shields which 

can be replaced quickly in case of leaks and are reusable so they 

do not require disposal. 

Activities of Companies Operating 

On-site 

Other companies in charge of maintenance activities regularly 

operate on the factory site. These activities include building and 

insulation work, painting and electrical installation, as well as 

cleaning and canteen services. The expansion project currently 

underway has resulted in additional companies working on-site. 

MEMC operates in a number of ways when handling relations 

with these companies. All third parties operating on-site are informed 

of the existing risks in the factory and of the behaviour 

that is required in order to carry out their tasks safely and with 

respect for the environment. They are also informed of MEMC’s 

Environmental Policy and of the requirements of the environmental 

management system that concern them. 

Likewise, in order to organize the work well and maintain an 

adequate level of housekeeping, MEMC has selected and 

marked out suitable areas where each company can deposit 

its materials and waste. Where necessary, these areas are 

equipped with waste collection tanks to prevent contaminating 

the soil and underground water. 

MEMC’s vigilant surveillance procedures include periodic audits 

aimed to ensure compliance with its instructions and to maintain 

control over the substances used and the waste materials produced. 

Purchase and Transport of Hazardous 

Substances and Preparations 

Before new chemicals and preparations are introduced into the 

factory, including those from external companies, they must have 

the joint approval from management's representative for the protection 

of the environment and the competent doctor, who assess 

their hazardous characteristics as a function of various parameters, 

including their intended use, the nature of the processes 

involved, the presence of other hazardous substances, the type 

of exposure, etc. This assessment is made according to the provisions 

set out in MEMC’s specific management procedure. 

The goods are mostly transported by road, mainly because of 

geographic and infrastructural conditions which impede the use 

of rail or sea transport. 

Nevertheless, MEMC pays particular attention to this aspect. 

Qualified personnel check the documents and the vehicles involved, 

which are subject to ADR regulations (Carriage of Dangerous 

Goods by Road). TET and TCS are at present transported 

by rail as far as the Merano train station, and then by road 

to MEMC. Particular procedures have been adopted for some 

time to monitor the railway wagons and road vehicles used to 

transport the tanks of chemicals from the railway station to the 

factory. The road vehicles are preceded by a technical escort 

and a private security company guards the tanks of chemicals at 

the Merano train station. 

35


INDIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS 

Communications 

Communication is another important tool for relating to the 

outside world, which MEMC employs to underline its commitment 

to the environment and increase the interest of its numerous internal 

and external partners in this issue, to demonstrate its serious 

and constant commitment to environmental protection and - last 

but not least - remind people of the rootedness of the factory and 

the important social role it has always played in the local area. 

In this respect, during 2009: 

• A project was launched in the schools in the province for 

studying alternative sources of energy, to provide an active contribution 

to promulgating a culture of sustainable energy and a 

sustainable environment - a field in which Alto Adige is undoubtedly 

on the cutting edge in Italy. 

• MEMC contributed to the creation of a book entitled “Sinigo. 

Con i piedi nell’acqua. Storia di un insediamento italiano 

nell’Alto Adige degli anni Venti” (“Sinigo. With feet in the water. 

The story of an Italian settlement in Alto Adige in the 1920s”) 

by Paolo Valente, published by Alphabeta Verlag, as part of an 

historical research project of the City of Merano. The book was 

sponsored by the City itself. 

governments, the SASA transit company in Merano), as well as 

opportunities that can be implemented directly by the company. 

The work that was done and the proposals that were made are 

summed up in a “Plan for Home-Job Commuting” that has been 

provided over the company’s Intranet to all personnel. 

• training and environmental awareness-raising continued to be 

given to employees, according to plans set forth in Environmental 

Training and Internal Communication programs; 

• a digital copy of the validated 2008 Environmental Statement 

was made available to all those involved - in printed form 

and on CD-ROM - and was also published on MEMC's website 

(www.memc.com). 

It should be noted that in response to these projects, the Province 

of Bolzano - in a letter dated February 3, 2010 from Christian 

Tomasini, the Vice-President of the Province - praised MEMC for 

“...its enormous commitment to the ongoing development of new 

technologies and processes that pay increasing attention to the 

environment, and to the company’s relations with the local area”. 

• In 2009, in cooperation with the Mobility Manager of the 

City of Merano, a project was begun that is intended to optimize 

commuting from home to job by MEMC personnel. The goal is to 

provide an active contribution to an effort to reduce traffic, which 

was launched by the City and by the Province. 

The project has been developed in multiple phases: 

• raising the awareness of personnel regarding the theme of 

mobility 

• a preliminary evaluation whose purpose is to “get to know” 

the company’s personnel from the standpoint of mobility, with particular 

emphasis on current habits and behaviour, limitations (such 

as place of origin, work schedules), needs (such as family responsibilities) 

and opportunities (for example, grouping together 

personnel in the local area who have similar work schedules and 

take the same routes from and to the factory) 

• an analysis of the means available for travelling from and 

to the factory, with special importance given to public transit 

• identification of opportunities for improvement that will be 

proposed to local public agencies (the municipal and provincial 

36


THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT 

PROGRAM 

2009-2010-2011 ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM 

Summary of actions ending in December 2009 

IMPROVEMENT ACTION OBJECTIVE DEADLINE 

ENERGY CONSUMPTION – NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS 

OBJECTIVE: Reducing electrical energy consumption 

DEPARTMENT 

RESPONSIBLE 

RESULT 

1.A.24 Expand the polycrystal production 

process with four new 18-rod reactors 

1.A.25 Engineer the hydrogen production 

process with a new reactor 

1.A.26 Further changes to 5 devices for pulling 

monocrystal, by installing better heat shields 

(fast pull and recharge process) 

Reduce specific consumption of electrical energy 

for silicon production by a prototype reactor 

by 15% 

Reduce by 10% the specific consumption 

of electrical energy for TCS produced by a 

prototype reactor 

Reduce specific consumption of electrical energy 

for silicon production by these pullers by 25% 

(77.6 kWh/kg Si) 

December 2009 Innovation Action completed 

Objective reached 


Results slightly poorer than 

expected (7% reduction) 

December 2009 Monocrystal production Action completed 


WATER CONSUMPTION – NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS 

OBJECTIVE: Reduce consumption of groundwater 

2.A.9 Engineer the water network for the 

addition to the poly plant in order to recycle 

more of the water 

Reduce the specific consumption of well water 

from 5.5 m3/kg to 4.5 m3/kg 

December 2009 Innovation Rescheduled with final 

deadline of December 

2011 to meet requirements 

associated with the 

expansion project 


OBJECTIVE: Reduce consumption of drinking water 

2.B.1 Inspect the factory water network to 

optimize consumption 


OBJECTIVE: Reduce consumption of fuels (fuel oil and diesel fuel) 

4.A.11 Dispose of diesel fuel-fired air compressor 

(sandblasting cabin) 


OBJECTIVE: Reduce atmospheric emissions of CO2 

6.E.1 Engineer the distribution system for heat 

produced from fossil fuels 

Install flow meters and take measures to reduce 

consumption by 10% 

December 2009 Innovation Rescheduled with final 





Save 10,000 l of diesel fuel/year December 2009 Innovation Rescheduled with final 





Reduce production of CO2 by reducing specific 

consumption of fuel oil from 2.4 t CO2/t of 

silicon to 2.1 t CO2/t of silicon 


Positive results: final figure 

is specific consumption of 

2.17 t CO2/t of silicon 

WASTE 

OBJECTIVE: Reduce waste from charge of polysilicon 

10.B.5 Optimize packaging process for 

shipments by using recycled paper 

Stop using preformed packaging made of 

expanded polystyrene 

June 2010 Innovation Action completed 


37


THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPROVEMENT 

PROGRAM 

2010-2010-2011 ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM 

IMPROVEMENT ACTION OBJECTIVE DEADLINE 

ENERGY CONSUMPTION – NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS 

OBJECTIVE: Reducing electrical energy consumption 

1.A.27 Engineering and starting up a “High 

energy efficiency reactor” used for growing 

polycrystal 

Reduce by 25% the specific consumption of 

electrical energy to produce silicon produced in 

the reactor 

December 2010 

Innovation 

DEPARTMENT 

RESPONSIBLE 

1.A.28 District heating. Implementation of 

systems that exchange heat for civil purposes 

at the local distribution agency 

Reduction in the energy required for cooling 

fluids in cooling towers (estimated at 50 MW/ 

season) 

Spring 2011 

Innovation 

1.A.29 District heating. Implementation of 

systems that exchange heat for civil purposes 

at the local distribution agency 

Reduce energy/hour (when burning raw 

materials), estimated at 35*103 MJ 

Spring 2011 

Innovation 

1.A.30 Implementation of electronic (inverter) 

control of the speed of electric motors (with 

total power rating of approx. 0.5 MW) 

Reduce the consumption of electrical energy 

used for powering the motors 

December 2011 

Innovation 

1.A.31 Installation of heat recovery systems 

that use exhaust gases to preheat the feed mix 

Reduce energy consumption (0.11 kWh/Kg of 

TET fed into the plant) 

December 2010 

Innovation 

1.A.32 Installation of new Pyrochemshield and 

Pyroflexchem insulation technology to replace 

old insulation 

Reduce energy consumption and be able to 

reuse the insulation after it is removed. 

December 2010 

Polycrystal 


OBJECTIVE: Reduce consumption of groundwater 


addition to the poly plant so that more of the 

water is recycled 

Reduce the specific consumption of well water 

from 5.5 m3/kg to 4.5 m3/kg 

December 2011 

Innovation 


addition to the poly plant so that more of the 

water is recycled 

Install evaporation towers to cool the circulating 

water that is used instead of well water 

December 2010 

Innovation 


OBJECTIVE: Reduce consumption of drinking water 

2.B.1 Inspect the factory water network to 

optimize consumption 

Install flow meters and take measures to reduce 

consumption by 10% 

December 2011 

Innovation 

38


CONSUMPTION OF AUXILIARY 

MATERIALS USED IN PRODUCTION 


OBJECTIVE: Reduce consumption of fuels (fuel oil and diesel fuel) 

4.A.5 Replace certain plant components with 

new, high-efficiency components. Increase 

efficiency of hydrochloric acid recycling 

plants, resulting in less use of the soda fume 

abatement columns 

Estimated 10% reduction in consumption of 

caustic soda 

December 2010 

Innovation 

4.A.10 Build a natural gas-fired heating plant 

to replace the current fuel oil-fired plant 

use natural gas instead of fuel oil. 

Reduce specific consumption from 0.7 TOE/t 

silicon to 0.6 TOE/t of silicon 

December 2011 

Innovation 

4.A.11 Dispose of diesel fuel-fired air compressor 

(sandblasting cabin) 

Save 10,000 l of diesel fuel/year December 2011 Innovation 

4.A.12 Increase the efficiency of the boilers in 

the central heating plant and optimize the heat 

recovery loop 

Estimated 5% reduction in the consumption of 

fuel oil 

December 2010 

Polycrystal 

4.A.13 Recovery - by cryogenic cleaning - of 

graphite left after the processing cycle 

Estimated 1% reduction in the use of graphite December 2010 CZ 

4.A.14 Implementation and validation of new 

chemical attack processes for highlighting 

defects in crystallography 

Estimated 40% reduction in the consumption of 

chromium mix 

December 2010 

CZ 


OBJECTIVE: Reduce atmospheric emissions of CO2 

6.E.1 Increase the efficiency of the boilers in 

the central heating plant and optimize the heat 

recovery loop 

Reduce CO2 production due to reductions in fuel 

oil consumption 

December 2010 

Polycrystal 

6.E.2.a Build a natural gas-fired heating plant 


Reduce production of CO2 by 20% due to the 

specific difference between fuel oil and natural 

gas 

December 2011 

Innovation 

6.E.2.b Build a natural gas-fired heating plant 


Drastically reduce the production of dust due to 

combustion of gas instead of fuel oil 

December 2011 

Innovation 

6.E.2.c Build a natural gas-fired heating plant 


Drastically reduce the production of SO2 due to 

combustion of gas instead of fuel oil 

December 2011 

Innovation 

39


CONSUMPTION OF AUXILIARY 

MATERIALS USED IN PRODUCTION 

WASTE 

OBJECTIVE: Reduce the emissions produced by waste 

10.B.6 Replacement of the filter press that 

separates and packs down the fraction of SiO2 

suspended in the HCl solution 

A 2.5% decrease is expected in the specific 

quantity of sludge per unit of silicon produced 

December 2010 

Polycrystal 

ODS 

OBJECTIVE: Eliminate the use of R22 

12.5 Replace the FREON 22 refrigerating fluid 

in the entire CDI plant with new fluid 

Replace Freon 22 with an alternative substance December 2010 Innovation 

NOISE 

OBJECTIVE: Reduce noise around the perimeter of the facility 

15.1 Install special silencers on components of 

the plant that are identified as sources of noise 

emissions 

Estimated reduction in the noise level along the 

northern side of the facility 

December 2010 

PAS 

TRAFFIC 

OBJECTIVE: Reduce traffic generated by transport of raw materials 

21.1 Build a natural gas-fired heating plant to 

replace the current fuel oil-fired plant 

Reduce industrial vehicle traffic by 68,000 km/ 

year 

December 2011 

Innovation 

21.2 Replace certain plant components with 

new, high-efficiency components. Increase 

efficiency of hydrochloric acid recycling 

plants resulting in less use of the soda fume 

abatement columns 

Reduce industrial vehicle traffic by 6,000 km/ 

year 

December 2010 

Innovation 

21.3 Engineer the process to reduce 

the production of chlorosilane mixture 

intended for the external market (-30%) 

Reduce rail traffic in an amount equal to 60 

boxcars, for a total of 100,000 km 

December 2010 

Polycrystal 

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS 

OBJECTIVE: Reduce the risk and effects of soil contamination 

E.18.6 Use suitable resins to coat the vats at 

the bottom of the soda columns that abate 

gases leaving the reactors 

Reduce presumed leaks and improve the aquifer December 2010 Polycrystal 

40


REFERENCE LEGISLATION 

The following table shows the main requirements set out in the regulations in force for those environmental aspects judged to be important, 

and the respective position of the MEMC factory in Merano. 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

ASPECT 

REFERENCE LAW REQUIREMENTS MEMC‘S POSITION 

ENERGY CONSUMPTION 

It. L. 10/91 

Annual report on the factory’s total 

consumption of primary sources, and 

appointment of an Energy Manager 

Send a report on consumption and name 

an Energy Manager by April 30 of each 

year 

WATER CONSUMPTION 

It. R.D. 1775/33 

It. Leg. D. 152/06 

It. P.L. 8/02 

Report existing wells 

Report re-drilling of existing wells 

Report sent and concession received for the 

extraction of underground water 

Reports sent and thirty-year concession 

received for use of wells 

ATMOSPHERIC 

EMISSIONS 

WATER DISCHARGES 

It. Leg. D. 152/06 

It. P.L. 8/00 

IPPC: 

It. Leg. D. 59/2005 

It. P.L.. 14/03 

It. Leg. D. 152/06 

It. P.L. 8/02 

IPPC: 

It. Leg. D. 59/2005 

It. P.L.. 14/03 

Integrated Environmental Authorization 

Compliance with prescribed limits 

Integrated Environmental Authorization 

issued by the Province of Bolzano 18th 

June 2008 

Valid until 18th June 2016 

NOISE 

It. L.. 447/95 

It. D. of Pres. of Prov. Council 4/89 

IPPC: 

It. Leg. D. 59/2005 

It. P.L. 66/78 

WASTE 

Law 152/06 and associated regulations 

A 

P.L. 04/06 

Compliance with the volume limits and times 

for temporary dumping of waste within 

factory grounds. 

Keep a register on the loading and unloading 

of oil. 

Compile the accompanying form. 

Report to the Chamber of Commerce on the 

type and quantity of waste produced and 

disposed of (MUD environmental report 

form) 

Temporary dumping managed in prescribed 

manners. 

Registers and forms compiled and kept for 

the periods and in the ways prescribed. 

Completed MUD filed by 

April 30 of each year 

DM 17.12.2009 

“SISTRI” 

PCB It. Pres. D. 216/88 

Enrolment in the SISTRI and use of its portal 

for recording the movements of waste 

(loading/unloading logs, forms, MUDs) 

Report to the Provincial administration on 

the presence within the factory of devices, 

plants or fluids containing PCB in concentrations 

in excess of 50 ppm 

Enrolment carried out, now awaiting its 

activation 

First report filed on 29 May 

1989, second report filed on 21 

February 1990 

41


REFERENCE LEGISLATION 

SUBSTANCES THAT HARM 

THE OZONE LAYER 

Regulation 1005/2009/CE 

Inventory of devices containing substances 

that may deplete the ozonosphere. Implementation 

of measures to prevent emissions 

of such substances during maintenance 

operations 

Keep a register on the loading/unloading 

and check for leakages. 

An inventory was made of equipment 

that contains Freon 22 (the only substance 

harmful to the ozone layer which is used at 

the factory). This inventory will be updated 

if modifications are made. 

Technical and operational measures were 

taken to prevent the emission of such 

substances into the atmosphere 

Leakage tests are performed. 

As of 1 January 2010, it is no longer 

possible to use virgin HCFCs (such as R22) 

for cooling purposes 

Inventory of materials on site that may 

contain asbestos 

Presentation of reclamation plans for 

disposing of goods containing asbestos 

Upgrade plant systems to use an alternative 

refrigerant 

ASBESTOS 

It. Pres. D. 215/88 

Inventory updated annually 

Reclamation plans presented for all the 

removal operations carried out 

CHEMICALS 

It. Leg. D. 81/08 

It. Leg. D. 334/99 

It. L. 40/00 

EC/1907/2006 Regulation 

Periodic analyses of risks 

Notification and information provided to 

the public 

Safety report 

Appointment of consultant for the safe 

transport of dangerous goods 

Consultant’s annual report on transport 

safety and dangerous goods 

Risk analysis document pursuant to It. Leg. 

D. 81/08 

sent to Province of BZ, It. Ministry of Environment 

and City of Merano (October 2000) 

Sent to Government Commissioner, Province 

of BZ (October 2000) 

Consultant appointed 

Annual report drawn up 

Pre-registration of products subject to 

REACH 

Registration with REACH 

SOIL 

CONTAMINATION 

It. Leg. D. 152/06 

It. D. of Prov. Council 1072/05 Reclamation of contaminated sites Reclamation completed 

ECHO-MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS 

EC/1221/2009 Regulation 

Implementation of an echo-management 

and auditing system. 

Completion of an environmental analysis; 

definition of policy, targets and plans. 

Preservation of the echo-management and 

auditing system and compliance with the 

new EU Regulation technical criteria. 

42


GLOSSARY 

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL 

PERFORMANCE 

The process of improving the measurable results in an organization’s 

environmental management system, regarding the important 

environmental aspects of said organization. 

EMAS 

An EU system of environmental management and auditing to 

which organizations may adhere on a voluntary basis to evaluate 

and improve their environmental performance, and provide information 

to the public concerning said performance. The system 

was instituted by Regulation no. 1221/2009 of the European 

Parliament and Council. In order to adhere to EMAS, organizations 

must be equipped with an environmental management 

system conforming to ISO Standard 14001, and must publish an 

Environmental Statement containing all the organization’s information 

concerning the environment. Adhesion to EMAS is only granted 

after having satisfied an inspection visit by an independent, 

private inspector, and a further inspection of its documents (also 

with respect to compliance with the environmental regulations in 

force) by the appropriate competent public body. 

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 

That part of a company’s overall management system including 

the organizational structure, planning activities, responsibilities, 

practices, procedures, processes and resources to draft, put into 

practice, attain, re-examine and maintain active the environmental 

policy. 

ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE 

Results obtained from an organization's management of environmental 

aspects. 

ISO 14001 

International standard specifying the requirements of an Environmental 

Management System, which, when integrated with other 

management priorities, helps organizations reach their environmental 

and economic objectives. 

TOXIC DEBT 

Environmental debt, pollution of one or more environmental matrixes 

(soil, sub-soil, groundwater, air, surface waters) generated 

by activities carried out in the past. 

ENVIRONMENT 

The context in which an organization works, including the air, 

water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, and human beings 

and their inter-relationships. The context extends from within an 

organization to the global system. 

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT 

An element of the activities, products or services of an organization 

that may interact with the environment. 

ENVIRONMENTAL AUDIT 

A management tool including a systematic, documented, periodic 

and objective evaluation of an organization’s performance, its 

management system and the procedures it implements to protect 

the environment. 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OR EFFECT 

Any change in the environment - whether negative or an improvement 

- that is totally or partly caused by the environmental aspects 

of an organization. 

43


The subject of this Environmental Statement for the year 2009 is 

the Merano factory of MEMC Electronic Materials S.p.A. 

This document has been edited in compliance with Article 6 of 

EC Regulation 1221/2009 dated 19th March 2001. 

The published data refer to the period 2000/2009. 

This Environmental Statement was drawn up by the ESH department, 

and approved by the Management Committee: Managing 

Director of MEMC S.p.A., factory directors in Novara and Merano, 

and the Directors of the Materials, Technologies and Human 

Resources departments. 

Project Manager: A. Tonini 

Editorial collaboration: C. de Santis, R. Marangon 

This Environmental Statement was approved by the environmental 

inspector at ERM Certification & Verification Services Ltd, 2nd 

Floor, Exchequer Court, 33 St Mary Axe, London EC3A 8AA 

(numero UK-V0013), on 5/11/2010. The next evaluation will 

be carried out by 5/2011. The next annual updating of the 

Environmental Statement will take place in 2011. 

For any further information or clarifications, please contact: 

- Andrea Tonini – RSPP/RDPA, MEMC Merano – Tel: +39 0473 

333408 – Fax: 0473.333.140 - @ atonini@memc.it 

- Claudio De Santis – Environment Manager, MEMC Merano – 

Tel: +39 0473 333214 – Fax: 0473.333.140 - 

@ cdesantis@memc.it 

All rights reserved. 

Graphic design project: kdg italia srl 

44

Merano 2009 Environmental Statement English MemcES_2009

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?