Environmental protection & safety is our endeavor.

Information to the public in accordance with § 8a of the Hazardous Incident Ordinance (12th BImSchV) April 2018

Pentol GmbH • Degussaweg 1 • 79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen • Managing Director: Olivier Blauenstein

Dear neighbors, dear ladies and gentlemen,

with this brochure we, Pentol GmbH, would like to give you, as residents of Grenzach-Wyhlen, an overview of what we produce, what materials we handle, what we do for your safety and which rules of conduct you should follow in the event of an incident at our location.

Pentol GmbH is subject to the Hazardous Incident Ordinance (twelfth ordinance for the implementation of the Federal Immission Control Act, in short: 12th BImSchV) and is a lower-class company.

We reported this to the competent authority in accordance with Section 7 of the Hazardous Incident Ordinance.

Our company is certified according to the management systems DIN EN ISO 9001: 2015, DIN EN ISO 14001: 2015 and BS OHSAS 18001: 2007.

The content of this brochure has been agreed with the responsible authorities.

Pentol GmbH in Grenzach-Wyhlen Pentol GmbH is active worldwide in the field of environmental technology for power plants. By optimizing combustion in oil and coal-fired systems, NOX, CO and solid emissions are reduced through catalytic processes. Due to the increased heat output of the system, the energy can be generated with lower CO2 emissions.

In 2020, our customers reduced CO2 as much as 550 wind turbines could generate CO2-free electricity.

The company has its headquarters and production site at Degussaweg 1 in Grenzach-Wyhlen and delivers its products all over the world. Pentol GmbH produces various additives based on oil and water, catalysts for combustion technology and emulsifiers. In addition, the required process systems are planned and manufactured in our in-house workshop on site.

Chemical hazard
Various raw materials are used in the manufacture of our products. Unfortunately, in some cases it is not possible to do without potentially dangerous substances. Solvents are used in our plant, for example. Accordingly, we store flammable or environmentally hazardous substances that are labeled accordingly.
Over the years, the requirements for the safe operation of the systems have increased steadily, so that the plant has continued to develop in terms of safety. Thanks to a continuous improvement process and investments in the systems, we are able to meet all requirements. Our employees are very experienced and, thanks to the regular training courses, are very well trained in handling hazardous substances.

The following table shows by way of example and not conclusively how the chemicals we handle are classified and which safety instructions exist.

 

There are cases that can be described as “cannot reasonably be ruled out”, such as minor leaks in pipe connections or the activation of a safety valve. For such events, the expert calculations show that their effects on our factory premises are limited. In addition, there are cases that are referred to as “nevertheless scenarios” and could have effects outside of our plant, e.g. due to a line being torn off. Nevertheless, scenarios are rather unlikely due to our technical and organizational safety precautions and the measures to combat incidents. However, there remains a certain residual risk that cannot be completely eliminated.
If, despite all safety precautions, an accident should occur, then in addition to a fire or an explosion, the release of substances is also possible. Depending on the type of substance released, this could lead to eye, skin or respiratory tract irritation. The spread of dangerous substances through the air depends on the weather and wind conditions, on the type and density of buildings and on the substance properties themselves. A strong explosion could lead to damage from debris and, due to its pressure wave, to the bursting of window panes or comparable property damage as well as damage to hearing. Depending on the type of incident and the substances involved, pollution of the soil or water can also occur. In the event of a fire or explosion, the interaction of existing chemicals can create new hazardous substances (fire and smoke gases) such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride or nitrogen oxides.
Precautionary measures against major accidents The term major accident is clearly defined in the Major Accidents Ordinance. A major accident is the release of a substance, a fire or an explosion on a large scale that results from a disruption of normal operation in a facility subject to the Hazardous Incident Ordinance and immediately or later, inside or outside the operating area or the facility, poses a serious risk to people and the environment (in accordance with the Hazardous Incident Ordinance, Section 2, Item 8) or leads to property damage in accordance with the Hazardous Incident Ordinance (Annex VI, Part 1, Item I, No. 4) or in which one or more hazardous substances are involved. As the operator of systems that are subject to the Hazardous Incident Ordinance, we comply with our obligation under the Hazardous Incident Ordinance and take suitable measures to combat incidents and limit their effects as much as possible. We also work with emergency and rescue services. In addition, we set ourselves the goal of meeting high safety standards and constantly improving the safety culture in our company. Various technical facilities and measures are intended to prevent the possibility of a disruption with a substance leak in the first place.

Pentol GmbH is constantly working to improve the company in the areas of safety, health and the environment.

What happens if something happens anyway? In the event of an incident, there is an “external emergency plan in accordance with Section 8a of the State Disaster Protection Act” agreed with the authorities. This plan regulates the mutual information of all authorities and emergency services as well as their deployment in the event of danger. If dangerous substances, gases or vapors penetrate the factory limits and could pose a risk, Pentol GmbH will immediately notify the responsible authorities (municipality / police / regional council / district office) to warn the population. The special situation near the border with Switzerland is also taken into account, because an incident could possibly also have cross-border effects. The volunteer fire brigade of the Grenzach-Wyhlen community plays a central role in dealing with incidents. In the event of larger events, the company fire departments of BASF Grenzach GmbH and Evonik Technology > Infrastructure GmbH in Rheinfelden. In the unlikely but not completely ruled out case of an incident, you will be warned by sirens and radio announcements. Corresponding information is also available via the warning app “NINA” and on the website of the Grenzach-Wyhlen community under the following links:

https://warnung.bund.de/meldungen

https://www.grenzach-wyhlen.de/de/Aktuelles/Verhalten-bei-Stoerfaellen

https://www.grenzach-wyhlen.de/ceasy/modules/resources/main.php?id=4254&download=1

https://www.grenzach-wyhlen.de/ceasy/modules/resources/main.php?id=494-0

The general rule is: Go to closed rooms and keep windows and doors closed. Follow the instructions of the emergency and rescue services as well as the official instructions (municipality / police / regional council / district office)!

Contact person at Pentol GmbH:

Mr. Olivier Blauenstein, Managing Director Phone: 07624 300 130 Mr. Jürgen Olsen, Operations Manager Phone: 07624 300 222
Pentol GmbH • Degussaweg 1 • 79639 Grenzach-Wyhlen • Phone: 07624 300-999 • Fax: 07624 300-190
Homepage (you will also find this information sheet there): https://www.pentol.net 

Information notes:
Further information on on-site visits and on environmental issues arising from the operation of our systems can be obtained from the responsible authority in accordance with the Environmental Information Act:
Regional council Freiburg
79083 Freiburg Tel. 0761 208- 0 Fax 0761 208-394200
Email: poststelle@rpf.bwl.de 

On-site inspection:
For the operating area of ​​Pentol GmbH at the Grenzach-Wyhlen site, 3-yearly on-site inspections are to be carried out by the responsible authority (regional council Freiburg) in accordance with Section 17 (2) of the Hazardous Incident Ordinance.