site.btaUPDATED Kronospan Bulgaria Submits Shutdown Plan Amid Environmental Enforcement in Veliko Tarnovo

The wood-processing company Kronospan Bulgaria said on Saturday that it has submitted to the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) a plan for the safe shutdown of its particleboard production line in Veliko Tarnovo, meeting the 24-hour deadline set by authorities.

The measure follows an unscheduled January 15 inspection, prompted by numerous citizen complaints about strong odours and haze spreading into residential areas. On January 16, RIEW ordered the suspension of the particleboard production line, with Veliko Tarnovo Mayor Daniel Panov confirming that the order had taken effect and that the company was given 24 hours to submit a shutdown plan.

Kronospan Bulgaria stressed that the action was taken in a timely and responsible manner, with the main priority being the protection of employees’ health and safety, the prevention of technological incidents, fires, and occupational accidents, and the minimisation of risks to the environment and production infrastructure. The company noted that particleboard production is a continuous, high-technology process involving high temperatures, pressure, flammable materials, and chemical substances, and that sudden or uncontrolled interruption could create serious hazards, including the risk of self-ignition, equipment damage, and danger to personnel.

The submitted safe-shutdown plan was prepared in accordance with the valid integrated permit, Bulgarian and EU legislation, and established industrial practices. It provides for phased and controlled actions to bring all facilities, raw materials, and substances into a safe condition without creating additional risks. Kronospan emphasized that safety has always guided its operations and that it will continue to cooperate with authorities while keeping the public informed.

Later on Saturday, the Ministry of Environment and Water said that RIEW had begun the immediate on-site enforcement of the suspension, noting that the shutdown plan submitted by Kronospan did not meet its requirements, as the company had proposed a timeline of at least 58 days, far exceeding acceptable limits for a safe halt. To enforce the order, RIEW, with the assistance of law enforcement, is taking steps to halt production, including all associated equipment, while expecting the company to follow technological shutdown instructions under the integrated environmental permit.

The phased suspension, aimed at protecting public health, the environment, and employee safety, will take several days. It applies to the particleboard line, including the dryer and two hot-air facilities with thermal capacities of 45 MW and 3 MW, and will remain in force until full compliance with Integrated Permit No. 570-H0/2018 is achieved, specifically regarding the prevention of odor emissions beyond the plant boundaries, the Ministry said.