Ecology plays an increasingly crucial role in surface treatment processes for the automotive industry. Automotive Painting Partners (APP) specialises in cathodic dip coating (KTL) – a technology that provides top-class corrosion protection for metal parts. This process is not only technologically demanding, but also subject to strict environmental monitoring. APP’s operations therefore undergo frequent inspections and submit mandatory reports to ensure full compliance. Read about the parameters APP is required to meet and prove every year.
KTL coating under strict environmental supervision
Facilities that use chemical pretreatment, electrochemical processes, or combustion sources are subject to strict environmental regulations. They are required to regularly report and publish selected environmental parameters on designated government portals. In particular emissions into the air, handling of chemicals and waste, as well as water and energy consumption. The goal is transparency towards the public, authorities, and customers, and of course, the prevention of negative environmental impact.
What requirements must APP meet before starting operations?
At Automotive Painting Partners (APP), we take environmental responsibility very seriously. Legal obligations as well as our overall approach to environmental protection are fully integrated into our production and company processes. But our commitment goes beyond simply meeting legal requirements – everything we do is carried out with respect for the environment and the community in which we operate.
Operations with an environmental impact, such as ours, are subject to a very strict approval process by state authorities. The basic framework is defined by EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment) and IPPC (Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control). Their purpose is to assess the environmental impact of the operation and ensure that it remains sustainable and under strict supervision in the long term. However, obtaining these permits is only the beginning.
What do we need to monitor and report each year?
Our environmental policy clearly reflects our commitment to continuous improvement of environmental performance through environmental management programs. So what exactly does /APP have to demonstrate annually?
Air (Act No. 86/2002 Coll. On Air Protection)
We monitor the following stationary sources of air pollution:
- Chemical wastewater treatment plant
- Afterburner unit: subject to authorised measurement once per year. We must comply with defined emissions limits for TOC and PM
- Exhaust systems from KT” pretreatment acid baths: subject to defined limits for SO2 , H2SO4 and HCL (measured once per year)
- Combustion sources for indirect heating of KTL line and drying ovens of the KTL line: monitored for Nox and CO limits (measured once every three years)
- Passenger and freight vehicles: subject to regular emission testing and technical inspections
Waste (Act No. 185/2001 Coll.)
- Continuous and summary record-keeping, reporting, and handover to an authorised entity
- Hazardous waste must be properly labelled, handled under a valid permit, and documented during transport
- Of course, we also ensure separation of municipal and operational waste, as well as the transport of hazardous materials in compliance with ADR regulations.
Water (Act No. 254/2001 Coll. And Act No. 274/2001 Coll.)
- Abstraction and discharge of water into the sewage system
- Permit for groundwater extraction from a well
- Monitoring of wastewater from the chemical wastewater treatment plant
Additional Environmental Obligations
- Integrated permit: electronic reporting on compliance with permit conditions submitted annually by 31st March to the Regional Authority
- Regular measurements of limits under IPPC (once a year) and ventilation system inspections (twice a year)
- Prepared and approved emergency response plan
- Record-keeping of chemical substances and preparations
Each year, the Environmental Management System (EMS) is reviewed and compliance with legal requirements is assessed.
APP: Environmental protection that goes beyond paperwork
All measurement results and audit reports are published within the required deadlines on public portals (e.g. the Integrated Pollution Register or the Regional Authority). We communicate openly about our environmental practices, maintain consistently high process standards, and meet the strict OEM requirements of global car manufacturers. Thanks to a rigorous and transparent management system, we are a stable and trustworthy partner for the automotive industry.
We take sustainability seriously – not only in words, but also in data. Contact us if you are looking for a reliable and responsible partner for surface treatment.
