Environmental & Social Review Summary
Project Number
10141
Company Name
PRINTABILITY (PROPRIETARY) LIMITED
Date ESRS Disclosed
Feb 5, 2010
Country
South Africa
Region
Africa
Last Updated Date
Jan 2, 2017
Environmental Category
B - Limited
Status
Completed
Previous Events
Approved : Oct 19, 2000
Signed : Mar 6, 2001
Invested : May 29, 2001
Sector
Paper for Printing and Writing
Industry
Agribusiness and Forestry
Department
Regional Industry - MAS Africa
Project Description
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW SUMMARY
Project Name South Africa - Printability (Pty.) Ltd.
Region Sub-Saharan Africa
Sector Timber, pulp and paper
Project No. 10141
1. This project involves the establishment of a new printing company, Printability, which will target the fine paper printing industry. The company will specialize in high quality lithographic printing of magazines, brochures, leaflets and financial reports. The objective of the company is to focus on the high end of the market in which quality and turnaround time command a premium. To achieve this objective, Printability will purchase press and finishing equipment from two of the world''s leading manufacturers of printing equipment. The modern equipment to be procured allows for short make-ready times and low start-up wastage for the presses. This modern equipment offers the advantages over older equipment of lower set up times, lower paper usage and lower power consumption through the use of electronic controls and set up procedures. Printing equipment in South Africa is generally older and of lower technology because of low levels of replacement in recent years.
2. This is a Category B project according to IFC''s environmental review procedure because specific impacts may result which can be avoided or mitigated by adhering to generally recognized performance standards, guidelines, or design criteria. The key environmental health and safety issues that were analyzed are as follows:
• source of water and power supply, including fuel storage if applicable;
• emissions of volatile organic compounds and other airborne contaminants;
• workplace air quality;
• recycling, treatment and disposal of solid wastes;
• recycling, treatment and disposal of liquid processing wastes and sewage;
• handling and storage of potentially hazardous materials;
• employee exposure to dust, heat, noise and hazardous materials;
• compliance with national labor standards and regulations;
• provision of personal protective equipment and health and safety training for employees;
• fire protection and emergency response; and
• general plant safety and housekeeping.
IFC has reviewed information provided by Printability on environmental and health and safety practices, as well as information from the waste collection firms with which it contracts. Relevant elements of this information as regard the key issues listed above are described below.
3. Source of water and power supply, including fuel storage if applicable: The plant will utilize an estimated 2.5 million liters per month, which will be obtained from the Durban municipal water system. The water is filtered and recirculated wherever possible to minimize water use. Under the terms of South Africa''s water regulations, all industrial water users must obtain a use permit from the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry. Electricity will be obtained from the national grid. The sponsors do not intend to install backup power generating capacity at the plant.
4. Emissions of volatile organic compounds and other airborne contaminants: Printability intends to install an advanced emissions control system in the new plant, at a cost of more than US$300,000. The system is imported from Europe and the supplier has confirmed that it will meet all South African emissions regulations as well as all IFC emissions guidelines, including those for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chlorine. All other processing and warehousing areas in Printability''s factory and offices will be equipped with standard heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems consistent with South African occupational safety and health regulations.
5. Workplace air quality: The advanced emissions control system described above ensures that workplace air quality meets or exceeds applicable South African and international occupational safety and health standards.
6. Recycling, treatment and disposal of solid wastes: The printing industry generates significant amounts of paper wastes. Reel slabs and cores, wrappings and trimmings will be purchased under contract by Mondi Paper Waste (Pty), a company that specializes in waste paper re-use. Under the terms of this turn-key contract, Mondi will design, build and install a ducted "processing to compactor" system within Printability''s facilities for the extraction and reprocessing of paper wastes and dust. The final output of the system will be waste paper bundles, which Mondi will collect for recycling and remanufacture at its nearby Merebank mill. The printing processes also generate a light ink "sludge" of varnish, solvent-based ink wastes, and traces of thinners). This will be collected and stored on site in large (7m3) containers. The sludge will be collected periodically by a licensed waste disposal company, Waste-tech Enviro Serv, and transported to the Shongweni landfill, which is designed and licensed to accept specific types of hazardous wastes. Waste-tech has confirmed that its operations comply with both South African regulations and internationally recognized standards for the disposal of low level hazardous wastes.
7. Recycling, treatment and disposal of liquid processing wastes and sewage: Printability''s processes will generate acidic solutions. These will be diluted with water from the chill to a concentration that complies with municipal regulations prior to discharge to the Durban municipal sewerage system. According to the sponsors, municipal inspectors regularly monitor industrial plants to ensure that their discharges meet or exceed the required standards. Waste solvents will be stored on site in 1000-liter containers supplied by Waste-tech Enviro Serv, Printability''s licensed waste disposal contractor. Waste-tech will periodically collect these containers and transport them to the Shongweni landfill site, where they will be treated prior to disposal in accordance with South African hazardous waste regulations. Used photographic fixer will be discharged into 25-liter containers, which will be collected by Natal Precious Metals Pty. for silver recovery at its refinery in Durban.
8. Handling and storage of potentially hazardous materials: Printability will utilize a number of expensive chemicals in its operations, all of which will be kept in locked stores and warehouse, under the control of a stores manager. All storage areas and warehouses will be air cooled and properly ventilated. The company will maintain careful daily records of all chemical received and used. Bulk chemicals will be transported throughout the facility by a forklift, and employees handling chemicals will be provided with appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment (see below).
9. Employee exposure to dust, heat, noise and hazardous materials: As discussed above, workplace air quality meets or exceeds South African occupational health and safety standards established under the provisions of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (no. 85) of 1993. No employees in any part of the facility will be exposed to excessive levels of dust, heat, noise or hazardous materials.
10. Compliance with national labor standards and regulations: Printability has confirmed in writing that it will comply with all relevant national labor standards and regulations.
11. Provision of personal protective equipment and health and safety training for employees: Production staff will be issued with the following items, in accordance with their specific job description: safety glasses or goggles, Nitrile rubber gloves, activated carbon masks, earmuffs or ear plugs, and safety shoes and overalls. Use of the requisite clothing and equipment will be strictly enforced.
12. Fire protection and emergency response: The entire facility will be equipped with fire reels, smoke detectors and a central alarm system. All offices, processing areas, and warehouses will be equipped with appropriate types of hand-held fire extinguishers. Staff will be given fire safety and response training, and periodic fire drills will be conducted. First aid kits will be placed throughout the plant, for use in the event of an injury or accidental exposure to a potentially hazardous substance.
13. General plant safety and housekeeping: Printability has confirmed in writing that it will adopt and comply with all relevant World Bank and IFC health and safety guidelines. This statement will be included as a basic condition in all of its employment contracts.
14. Based on its review of Printability’ environmental, health and safety practices, IFC concludes that the proposed project is being operated to meet Government of South Africa requirements, as well as all relevant World Bank policies and environmental, health and safety guidelines.
15. IFC will monitor ongoing compliance with World Bank Group policies and guidelines during the life of the project by reviewing and evaluating the Environmental and Social Monitoring Reports (AMRs) to be submitted annually to IFC by the sponsor, and by conducting periodic site visits during project supervision.
Environmental and Social Mitigation Measures
Broad Community Support
Related SII
