San Daniele Ham: recovery of salty processing waste

Promo San Daniele S.r.l., on behalf of the Consorzio del Prosciutto di San Daniele, supports producers in the efficient management of the main waste products deriving from the production process, in particular brine and exhausted solid salt used for salting.

Historically, the lack of adequate facilities in Friuli Venezia Giulia has made it necessary to deliver such waste to facilities located outside the region.

In recent years, however, two significant critical issues have emerged:

• the discontinuity in the availability of reception by the facilities;
• the consequent increase in operating costs.

In response to these challenges, and also to optimize logistics flows, Promo San Daniele has identified a strategic opportunity: the creation of an innovative plant, located a few kilometers from the ham factories, dedicated to the recovery and valorization of salt waste in order to obtain industrial salt to be used both as a road de-icer and as a preservative and additive within the production cycles of tanneries.

To identify the most suitable process for the treatment of incoming waste, Promo San Daniele started an in-depth pilot-scale experiment. This research and development path was accompanied by a wide range of technical and scientific analyses, aimed at verifying the effectiveness and sustainability of the identified process. The analyses conducted allowed the selected method to be validated, ensuring that it met the criteria of efficiency, safety and compliance with current regulations. The experimental approach represented a crucial step to ensure the adoption of an optimal and technologically advanced solution.

The submission of the authorization practices for the construction of the plant required a careful and detailed environmental assessment, an essential step to obtain the necessary approvals. To this end, the client identified Gesteco as a partner, recognizing its consolidated experience and specialist expertise in the development and management of all environmental obligations required by the regulatory context.

The site selected for the construction of the salt waste treatment plant is located in the industrial area of ​​the Municipality of Trasaghis. The choice was motivated by its strategic position, about 30 km from San Daniele del Friuli, where the ham factories are located. This proximity allows for an efficient service, significantly reducing costs and the impact related to logistics.

Prior to the acquisition of the site, the client instructed Gesteco to conduct an initial assessment of the CLIR (Regional Location Criteria for waste recovery and disposal plants introduced with the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region Decree no. 058/Pres of 19 March 2018). The aim was to verify the absence of exclusionary criteria, ensure regulatory compliance of the project and guarantee that the plant was perfectly integrated into the surrounding environment.

Below are some examples of the re-elaborations carried out using the QGIS software, used for the analysis and evaluation of the location criteria.

Criterion 3A - Area of ​​relevance of water bodies

The documents drawn up are the result of an in-depth analysis of the project, aimed at identifying the aspects that require authorization and outlining the necessary technical and environmental insights. The approach used, based on a systematic methodology, made it possible to fully address both technical and regulatory issues, ensuring an accurate assessment of the environmental implications and the checks to be carried out to ensure the compliance and sustainability of the project.

The main aspects that we covered in the project documentation:

1. Framing of the identified site

 The framing of the site involved the assessment of the area intended for the project, with particular attention to the location and environmental characteristics of the surrounding area. The integration of the project into regional programmatic plans was considered, in line with sustainable development and territorial management policies. The assessment examined the potential impacts on environmental matrices, such as air, soil, water and noise impact, as well as on neighboring ecosystems. An in-depth study of the existing environmental conditions in the area was also conducted in accordance with regional environmental protection directives.

2. Environmental aspects

The significant environmental aspects related to the future plant were analyzed and identified, such as emissions into the atmosphere, water discharges and noise impact. The assessments carried out certified the environmental compatibility of the project. Particular attention was paid to the management of energy resources, with the aim of optimizing energy consumption and reducing the environmental footprint of the plant.

3. Type of incoming waste and treatment potential

A detailed analysis of the types of waste that will be managed was carried out. The product and chemical-physical characteristics of this waste were described in detail, providing technical specifications for their classification in accordance with the EER (European Waste List) codes and their management in the plant.

4. Recovery activities

The analysis of the recovery activities was aimed at precisely defining the different operational phases of the process, highlighting how these lead to the production of the outgoing material, classified as End of Waste, in accordance with the reference standards. Each phase of the recovery cycle has been described in detail, ensuring that the final result meets the regulatory and technical requirements necessary to achieve the "cessation of waste" status, ensuring compliance with the required environmental and quality regulations.

5. Monitoring plan and planning of maintenance interventions

The preparation of the Monitoring and Control Plan was carried out with the aim of ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements through constant surveillance. The plan included a planning of monitoring actions, together with the maintenance interventions necessary to ensure the operational continuity of the plant and maintain environmental performance in compliance with environmental standards over time.

6. Emergency management

The emergency procedures to be implemented in the event of accidents or critical scenarios have been defined. These procedures ensure the safety of the operating area and the protection of the environment and public health, preventing risk situations.

7. Plant decommissioning

 The plant decommissioning phase has been planned, defining in detail the operations for dismantling the infrastructure and restoring the area. Particular attention has been paid to the efficient management of the waste generated, with the aim of promoting the reconversion or redevelopment of the site in accordance with environmental sustainability criteria and in full compliance with current regulations.

In collaboration with Promo San Daniele, our team has effectively completed several authorization procedures. Thanks to Gesteco's internal experience and collaborations with technical specialists, we have guaranteed a complete and optimized approach.
Among the main procedures followed, we have dealt with:

• environmental impact screening, in compliance with DGR 1183/2022;
• verification of subjection to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), pursuant to art. 19 of Legislative Decree 152/2006, for the Regions and Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano;
• simplified landscape authorization, as provided for by art. 146, paragraph 9 of Legislative Decree 42/2004 and by Presidential Decree 31/2017;
• single authorization for the construction and management of waste recovery plants, pursuant to art. 208 of Legislative Decree 152/2006;
• compliance report pursuant to art. 184-ter of Legislative Decree 152/06 and subsequent amendments - End of Waste;
• predictive assessment of acoustic impact;
• numerical assessment of odor dispersion (Lod Srl).

With regard to the air matrix, Gesteco, with the support of the specialist skills of the Gruppo Luci and thanks to the synergy between the companies that are part of it, has carried out the necessary environmental assessments and preliminary analytical insights, with the aim of defining the characteristics of the expected potential emissions, not immediately known given the experimental nature of the process.

These activities have allowed the abatement system to be correctly sized.
In particular:

• the Dynamic Olfactometry Laboratory (LOD) has conducted the preliminary analyses and developed the forecast models regarding emissions into the atmosphere and odorous emissions.
• Labiotest Srl has designed and will supply the conveyed emissions abatement system, which will consist of two stages: scrubber and dry chemical-physical filter (activated carbons).

This integrated approach ensured a design compliant with operational needs and current environmental regulations.

Now that Promo San Daniele has obtained authorization from the Region, it is proceeding with the construction of the plant that will then be tested in order to operate as authorized.

 In this phase, we will continue to support Promo San Daniele not only in carrying out the necessary technical checks, but also in the implementation of an effective Environmental Management System.

When the plant is active, we will support the customer in carrying out the planned monitoring and we will take care, together with our partner LOD srl, of the periodic checks on odorous emissions.