Perspectives in environmental management in the light of the implementation of biocircular economy principles

The contemporary industrial sector has been addressing the risks arising from dependence on fossil fuels and fossilbased raw materials taking both opportunities and related challenges of the transition from oil- to bio-based chemicals. In such a framework, the chemical industry is currently rethinking products and services with component parts reused, remanufactured, and refurbished in the light of implementing bio- circular economy principles. The present paper refers the techniques implemented in the chemical sectors with an IPPC permit released by the Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea (IMELS) and subject to Seveso III Directive on the prevention of major accidents involving dangerous substances. Cooperatively with such legislative framework, many chemical installations adopt an environmental management system according to ISO 14001:2015 to ensure a continuous improvement of their environmental performance beyond legal minimum requirements. In particular, the present paper focuses on measures and procedures to prevent diffuse and fugitive emissions in large chemical installation. In fact, such installations, together with refineries, make use of specific chemical substances like volatile organic compounds, that may be released into the environment. Thus, IPPC permits foresees specific measures in consideration of Best Available Techniques for the chemical sector also with the aim of preventing accidents and limiting their eventual consequences on the environment.