An Analysis of Clean Air Policies in Northrhine-Westfalia: The Case of Dust and Heavy Metal Emissions Related to the Iron and Steel Industry

This working paper describes those determinants of intrasectoral change within the iron and steel production sector in the Ruhr Area, Northrhine-Westfalia (NRW), which have contributed to the reduction of atmospheric heavy metal emissions since the early seventies, as well as the driving forces behind these intrasectoral changes. The aim of this paper is a description, as well as an assessment, of key elements of atmospheric point source and diffuse emission reduction policies related to the iron and steel industry. It constitutes part of the Rhine/Black Triangle Policy Comparison Study at IIASA.
Intrasectoral changes pertaining to the reduction of atmospheric heavy metal and dust emissions are shown to have consisted, firstly, of process changes whose main characteristics were a replacement of older crude steel production processes, reductions and changes in fuel input and an increased recycling of residues. The second most important development was the application of gradually improved offgas collection and cleaning technologies.
There were four major factors behind the intrasectoral change: developments in legal requirements; financial support from public institutions; economic motivations of the enterprises; and cooperative approaches.

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