Sustainability Report 2013 Lek d.d.

41 Environment 62 RC KPI 15 63 RC KPI 16 64 RC KPI 14 65 GRI Indicator G4-EN27, G4-DMA 2.7.2 Phosphorus and nitrogen com- pounds, chemical oxygen demand Nitrogen compound emissions mostly result from the fer- mentation production, particularly at the Menge‰ site follow- ed by Lendava and Ljubljana, and, at a negligible level, the Prevalje site, which is demonstrated in the graphic presenta- tion of the emission trends by site. In 2013, the total volume of nitrogen compound emissions increased by 7.5%, how- ever, it was still lower by 30% than in 2011. The Menge‰ site is also the major generator of phosphorus compounds, their source being residual inorganic substan- ces. As the annual amounts of phosphorus and nitrogen compounds are reported after treatment in the wastewater treatment plant, they largely depend on the efficiency of the wastewater treatment. In 2013, they dropped by nearly 18% and are at the same level as in 2009. To provide an assessment of the level of pollution with or- ganic impurities, chemical oxygen demand is an important parameter, providing the quantity of oxygen needed for chemical oxidation of organic pollution in wastewater. Chemical oxygen demand measurements are carried out at the point of discharge of waste cooling waters into the sewage system. In 2013, we recorded a slight increase in the chemical oxygen demand parameter on account of the Menge‰ location. The Prevalje and Ljubljana sites together contribute to less than 2% of total wastewater pollution with organic impurities. Chemical oxygen demand, total phosphorus compounds and total nitrogen compounds in wastewaters also consti- tute parameters for the calculation of the environmental fee. The highest impact, accounting for more than 80%, is asso- ciated with chemical oxygen demand, whereas phosphorus and nitrogen compounds each represent about 10% of the pollution. Wastewaters and the content of all the three parameters are constantly monitored by the authorized monitoring autho- rities. Monitoring is carried out three to six times a year, depending on the volumes of wastewaters at the respective site. Through increasing knowledge of chemical substances and the significance of biotic diversity for human beings, Lek started – even before the respective Slovenian and EU laws were implemented – to research the impact of active pharmaceutical ingredients potentially entering wastewaters as a result of our operations. From there, they pass through wastewater treatment plants into surface waters. Even though it has been established that only a small percentage of APIs present in the wastewaters are generated by the pro- duction of pharmaceuticals and that the major part results from the final users of pharmaceutical products ecotoxicity data of APIs are regularly reviewed and evaluated, and pro- per action is taken (see the article on "With ozone to cleaner wastewaters" under Item 2.7.1). 65 Graph 8: Emissions of phosphorus compounds in wastewater 62 Graph 9: Emissions of nitrogen compounds in wastewater 63 Lendava Ljubljana Menge‰ Prevalje Lendava Ljubljana Menge‰ Prevalje 15 2.5 20 3 3.5 2009 2009 10 2 5 1.5 0.5 1 0 0 t t year year 2010 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012 2013 2013 Graph 10: Chemical oxygen demand (in t O 2 ) 64 Lendava Ljubljana Menge‰ Prevalje 80 100 2009 60 40 20 0 t O 2 year 2010 2011 2012 2013