Chapter 4: Lithuania
(continued)
Table 4.11 presents the major environmental problems survey respondents expect to face in the coming years. This information is based on answers given to the question on major environmental problems in specific industries or municipalities.
| TABLE 4.11: MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS IN LITHUANIA | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Problem Description and Expected Duration | Geographic Extent |
| Air | Air pollution (10 years) | National, major cities |
| Air pollution from transport (10 years) | National, major cities | |
| Air pollution from sulphur production (3 years), emissions of volatile organic compounds (10 years) | Mazeikiai town | |
| Dust and particulate emissions from cement plant | Naujoji Akmene town | |
| Air pollution (dust) (5 years); emissions of solvents vapor | Major cities with textile companies | |
| Emissions of ammonia (cooling agent) (5 years) | Major cities with food processing companies | |
| Air pollution due to specific technology processes (10 years) | Cities withfurniture companies | |
| Emissions of acetone vapor | Kaunas municipality | |
| Air emissions from rendering departments and smoking departments | Major cities with meat factories | |
| Air emissions of CO at foundries | Major cities | |
| Air emissions: SO2, NOx, COx, solid particles with vanadium from boiler houses (5 years) | Vilnius | |
| Water and Wastewater | Wastewater treatment (5 years) | National |
| Rainwater treatment (5 years) | National | |
| Potable water treatment (5 years) | National | |
| Sludge treatment and disposal (3 years) | National | |
| Construction of supply networks (20 years) | National | |
| Wastewater due to specific technology processes (10 years) | Cities with chemical companies | |
| Organic pollutants in wastewater (10 years) | Cities with food processing companies | |
| Renovation of wastewater treatment plant (3 years), segregation of rainwater from industrial wastewater | Major cities | |
| Wastewater problem in finishing processes (5 years) | Major cities with textile companies | |
| Excess heat in wastewater | Cities with industrial companies, Ignalina nuclear power plant | |
| Waste | Reuse and recycling of waste | National |
| Hazardous waste management | National | |
| Waste management (clean-up of contaminated land) (10 years) | Industrial areas | |
| Organic waste management (3 years) | Cities with food processing companies | |
| Landfill management - leaching | National | |
| Waste separation | National | |
| Utilization of nonrecoverable oil products | Industrial areas | |
| Utilization of Phosphogypsum waste | Kedainiai | |
| Management of hazardous and medical waste (3 years) | National | |
| Soil | Clean-up of contaminated land (3 years) | Kaunas municipality |
| Management of soil contaminated with oil products (3 years) | Industrial areas | |
| Treatment of former Soviet military bases | National | |
| Energy | Inefficient energy and power generation systems (10 years) | National |
| Inefficient energy supply and use (3 years) | National | |
| Thermal pollution from the nuclear power station | Ignalina nuclear power plant | |
| Excessive energy consumption in industry | National | |
| High SO2 emissions from burning heavy oil and coal | National | |
| Apartment block renovation with insulation | National | |
| Poor design and construction of heating systems in flats and houses | National | |
| Other | Transport noise (20 years) | Major cities |
Total water consumption in 1996 was 5.60 billion m3 (199.9 million m3 of groundwater). Water consumption increased by 1.13 billion m3, approximately 25 percent in comparison with 1995 (4.46 billion m3). The increasing needs of the energy sector, which consumes 94 percent of the total water consumed in Lithuania (5.27 billion m3), has been the main reason for the increase. Consumption in other sectors is broken down as follows: 3 percent for household use (167.1 million m3), 1.8 percent for fishery ponds (101.8 million m3), 0.8 percent for industry (47.0 million m3), 0.1 percent for agricultural needs (2.9 million m3) and 0.02 percent for other purposes (0.9 million m3). Water recycling and circulation systems amount to 367.3 million m3 (6.6 percent) /3/.
In total, 5.60 billion m3 of wastewater was discharged to surface water bodies in 1996. This number includes 5.35 billion m3 of water that does not require treatment. More than 98 percent of this is discharged from the Ignalina nuclear power plant and Kruonis hydro pump storage plant.
According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection, 252.2 million m3 of total wastewater volume should have been treated; however, some 42.1 million m3 (16.7 percent) was discharged untreated, with 210.1 million m3 (83.3 percent) being treated. Some 99.5 million m3 of this amount (39.5 percent) did not exceed the MAP (maximum allowed pollution) limit, while some 110.6 million m3 was discharged after insufficient treatment. /108/
These results indicate a general improvement with regard to discharges of polluted wastewater in comparison with 1995. This improvement is partly due to the fact that Vilnius City biological wastewater treatment plant was built and began operation at the beginning of 1996. Furthermore, biological wastewater treatment processes, financed with preferential credits offered by Denmark, were deployed at wastewater treatment plants in Moletai, Lazdijai and Silale. These positive results, however, are tainted by the discharges of untreated industrial wastewater to the municipal sewage system from the AB Sema /73/ wastewater treatment plant in Panevezys.
High quality groundwater is employed for everyday use in Lithuania; however, in rural areas, the shallow well water that used is often polluted by nitrates beyond the standard acceptable level. The eutrophication of lakes, the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea poses another serious problem. The quality of water has not essentially improved due to secondary pollution processes, though with the diminished use of mineral fertilizers, the leaching of mineral substances into surface and groundwater has significantly decreased.
Potable water
Groundwater is the only source of potable water in Lithuania. Groundwater pollution has been detected in nearly one-third of the country's area. Approximately 800,000 inhabitants consume water from wells dug where nitrates exceed permitted limits. In some localities, such as the site of Jonava Achema Company or the oil storage facilities of Vilnius, Alytus, Marijampole, Svencionys and former Soviet military sites, groundwater is heavily polluted with nitrates and oil products, exceeding the highest permissible concentrations (HPC) by anything from 30 to 120 times. Groundwater in the Karst region in the northern part of Lithuania contains increased amounts of both nitrogen compounds and organic substances.
The Curonian Lagoon and Baltic Sea
The state of the Curonian Lagoon Environment is one of the most critical problems in Lithuania, and it is essential the problems associated with the region be solved in cooperation with the neighboring countries, including Russia and Belarus. Approximately 5 million people live in the watershed of the Curonian Lagoon, and the sewage from the majority of these people flows into the accompanying rivers and lakes. Approximately one-third of the residents in the region live in large industrial cities such as Vilnius, Kaunas, Gardinas, Panevezys, Molodecnas, Lyda, Alytus, Marijampole, and Slonimas. The large industrial center of Klaipeda is situated in the northern part of the Curonian Lagoon. Besides the industrial users, the population consumes large amounts of water for its own needs, which is then also discharged into the sewage system. The effect of domestic wastewater on the natural water of the Curonian Lagoon depends on the effectiveness of the region's wastewater treatment plants and their distance from the discharge point into the Lagoon. However, improvements to the biological and mechanical wastewater treatment plants are taking place too slowly to have any real effect. The completion of biological wastewater treatment plants in Kaunas and Klaipeda is expected to improve the situation. However, pollution discharged from municipal wastewater treatment plants has not decreased because the network of the sewage system is being gradually widened. Kaunus' biological wastewater treatment plant nevertheless is expected to be finished by the end of 1998, while Klaipeda's is due to be completed by the end of 1999.
The use of fertilizers in agriculture has decreased in recent years. A considerably smaller quantity of dungwash reaches the rivers and streams today, and the eutrophication process in the Curonian Lagoon has slowed down with the closure of large cattle-breeding farms in Lithuania, Belarus and Russia /107/.
Mobile pollution sources (road transport, agriculture, construction vehicles, railway, civil aviation, the ocean and river fleets) emit approximately 362,000 tons of pollutants into the atmosphere each year, and they are the major sources of atmospheric pollution in Lithuania. Emissions from stationary sources total 449,000 tons annually /108/. The primary concentration of air pollution is in the cities and industrial centers such as Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Naujoji Akmene, Mazeikiai, Kedainiai and Jonava.
Air pollution treatment equipment at industrial companies in Lithuania could reduce the total polluted emissions by up to 98 percent; however, many pollutants are untreated because companies do not own the specialized equipment necessary for the removal of certain materials such as gaseous and liquid mixtures. Therefore, air pollution treatment equipment reduces approximately 48 percent of all emissions. The emission of pollutants by stationary sources to the atmosphere totals an estimated 148,893 tons per year.
The Siauliai region, the most polluted in Lithuania, contributes 40 percent of the general emissions for the entire country. This is partly due to the existence of the joint stock companies (JSC) Mazeikiu Nafta /50/ and Akmenes Cenentas /51/. Annual emissions from the Mazeikiu state thermal power plant, also located in the region, today total 9,500 tons (a decline from 11,100 tons in 1993) and is the highest level of emissions among the energy producers. Annual emissions from the Lithuanian state power plant total 9,300 tons (the 1993 level was 8,000 tons). In 1996, the major share of the 28,900 tons of emissions (a decline from 35,400 tons in 1993) was emitted by Mazeikiu Nafta.
The emission of pollutants into the atmosphere decreased in comparison with 1993. Emissions from stationary pollution sources declined by 25 percent, with emissions from Akmenes Cementas decreasing by 5,700 tons and emissions from the Achema company decreasing by 200 tons.
In many cases, the reduction in emissions was caused by a general reduction in production volumes. Furthermore, industrial companies started to operate air pollution treatment equipment. In contrast, some other companies' volumes of emissions have actually increased due to increases in production.
Air pollution reduction/stabilization analysis /106/ has revealed two major trends: increasing transport emissions and increasing pollution from industrial and energy sources whose output is increasing. In order to prevent any worsening of the situation, urgent measures must be adopted to ensure that permissible levels of pollutant emissions and concentrations are not exceeded, and that international obligations regarding air protection can be met. For the reduction of air pollution from mobile sources, it is necessary to improve fuel quality, introduce vehicles that meet EU standards, and to introduce optimal transport stream regulation systems.
To meet EU standards, it is necessary to proceed quickly with the finalization of legislation for the regulation of emissions and to implement energy saving measures. It is also necessary to promote the use of cleaner fuels and the introduction of advanced production and pollutant treatment technologies for the regulation of atmospheric pollution from the energy sector and industry. It would also be necessary to revise the financing scheme for environmental protection measures and to strengthen the environmental investment fund that would provide more favorable conditions for the implementation of environmental protection measures for enforcement purposes.
Soil and the upper ground layers are most heavily contaminated in cities, especially in industrial areas and near highways and runways. Heavy metal concentrations in soils, and oil product contamination in some industrial areas are beyond the highest permissible levels. Heavy metal concentrations in soil exceed background concentrations and have been found outside the territories of the responsible companies. For instance, increased amounts of nickel and vanadium have been found in the impact zone of the Mazeikiai Oil Refinery; fairly high chromium, nickel and vanadium concentrations are characteristic of the environs of the Naujoji Akmene Cement Company; copper concentrations are beyond standard levels in the impact zones of Jonava and Kedainiai Fertilizer companies; and Benzapyrene and lead accumulations are found near roads, particularly where traffic is heavy.
Concentrations of pollutants in cultivated soils are rarely beyond highest permissible levels. However, intensive land cultivation provides favorable conditions for mechanical and water-based soil erosion and depletion.
One of the most important sources of soil contamination with regard to heavy metals are mineral fertilizers. The data from the Agrochemical Research Center /107/ show that superphosphate produced at Kedainiai Chemical Plant contains cadmium (2.75 mg/kg), lead (14.50 mg/kg), chromium (7.50 mg/kg), nickel (12.50 mg/kg), copper (26.25 mg/kg), zinc (18.25 mg/kg), and manganese (130 mg/kg). Basic research into Lithuanian soil shows that the concentration of heavy metals in places reasonably distant from larger towns does not exceed the maximum allowable concentration (MAC).
With agricultural reform in 1991, the use of pesticides in Lithuania was reduced and stabilized by 1995. In 1996, however, usage again increased when some 900 hectares were sprayed with different types of pesticides. This represented an increase of 162 percent compared with 1995 levels. The concentration of herbicides used was 0.5 MAC, while the concentration of insecticides used was 0.7 MAC. Nevertheless, analysis by the Ministry of Environmental Protection /108/ shows the quality of agricultural soils is satisfactory.
Soil radioactivity tests were completed in the area of the Ignalina nuclear power plant in 1996. Test results showed that materials characteristic for industrial nuclear activity were detected only in the coastal sediments of Lake Druksciai.
Contaminated Territories
Contaminated territories /108/ pose a dangerous threat to public health and limit the use of land. Among the most contaminated areas in Lithuania are those around old dumping sites, former Soviet military sites and training grounds, as well as some industrial areas. During a 50-year period, significant territories (67,762 hectares, or 1.04 percent of Lithuania's territory) were used by the Soviet Union for military purposes. Environmental investigation following withdrawal of the Soviet army revealed that significant damage was caused to the ecosystem's soil, deeper ground layers, hydrosphere, flora and fauna. More than 50 percent of this land is contaminated with oil products and heavy metals, and in those places where pollution has reached higher concentrations, groundwater levels have also been contaminated. Highly contaminated soil becomes a secondary pollution source.
Non-hazardous Waste
In 1996, 6.134 million tons of nonhazardous waste was generated. Most of this waste was organic (2.158 million tons) or domestic waste (1.445 million tons). Organic waste consisted of 72 percent manure and sewage, 25 percent food waste, 2 percent field and garden cultivation waste, and 1 percent waste of animal origin. Domestic waste has grown noticeably due to the increasing use of consumer goods and the disposal of its packaging.
Secondary Raw Materials
The generation of waste as a secondary raw material /108/ in 1996 showed that levels of wood totaled 269,103 tons, followed by ferrous metals totalling 115,000 tons. Wood waste is composed of 42 percent fine wood waste (including sawdust, dust, and woodchips), 25 percent mixed waste; 29 percent waste wood pieces (including scrap, wood chips, fiber sheets and veneer), and 4 percent bark. Ferrous metal waste is composed as follows: 16 percent carbon steel waste, 2 percent cast iron waste and 82 percent other ferrous metal waste. Approximately 15,000 tons of glass waste and 20,000 tons of paper and cardboard waste were generated in 1996. the collection and recycling of this material in Lithuania is not well-organized. While it is possible to recycle waste paper, glass, plastic and textile waste, it tends not to be economically profitable. Nevertheless, the system in place for the recycling of nonferrous and ferrous metal collection works well.
Domestic Waste
There are approximately 800 town and village waste dump sites in Lithuania /108/. Most dump sites are poorly situated both geologically and geographically; they make use of inadequate technology; and a large number of small sites have been neglected. New domestic waste dump sites that use Western technologies are being established in Kedainiai and Kaisiadorys.
Every year, 1.4 million tons of solid domestic waste is dumped. The quantity and composition of domestic waste was recently investigated in Kaunas and it was determined that in multistory buildings, one person produces 158 kg of waste annually. As worldwide statistics show, the amount of waste one person can produce reaches 200-250 kg/year. The composition of domestic waste is 39 percent kitchen waste, 16 percent paper and cardboard, 7 percent plastics, 9 percent glass, 3 percent metals, 12 percent other noncombustible materials and 14 percent other combustibles. The quantity of paper, cardboard and plastic waste is likely to rise in the future and that of kitchen waste to fall. It was determined that after the separation of glass, plastic, paper and metal waste, it would be possible to decrease the volume of unsorted waste by 35 percent. Waste separation has already begun in the major cities of Lithuania with the use of separate containers for glass, plastics, metals and kitchen waste.
Hazardous Waste
Approximately 101,000 tons of hazardous waste accumulated in Lithuania during 1996 (a decline from 153,000 tons in 1995). Pesticides and hospital waste represent a significant problem. Today 954 storage facilities contain over 4,000 tons of pesticides, nearly 2,000 tons of which have been deemed prohibited, old or unidentified. During the period 1989-1995, 26 pesticide storage facilities caught fire. After disinfection, some 1,700 tons of hospital waste is taken to domestic waste dump sites, while over 1 million used mercury lamps are accumulated annually in Lithuania. In future, waste will be incinerated or will be rendered harmless using physical and chemical means and/or by being deposited in the hazardous waste system.
Various oil product waste accounts for most of the hazardous waste that will be incinerated. Hazardous waste such as solid varnish, paint waste, paint-stained paper, point stripping waste, hardened and water insoluble polymer and epoxide-resins, and other less hazardous waste are taken to dump sites. Most oil product waste, materials polluted with oil, solvents and other flammable hazardous waste is incinerated in boilers not equipped for this purpose, where the furnace temperature reaches only 500-600 degrees Celsius. Hazardous waste should be incinerated at temperatures of at least 1,200 degrees Celsius.
Rational waste management and utilization is one of the most acute problems in the Lithuanian environmental protection sector. The establishment of a waste management system is under way; however, its implementation will require significant funding and joint efforts.
Radioactive waste is accumulated at the Ignalina nuclear power plant, while smaller amounts of radioactive waste are generated by hospitals, industries, research institutions and companies. Spent fuel from the Ignalina power plant is stored in reservoirs close to reactors. Solid radioactive waste generated during power plant operations is sorted based on its radioactivity and stored in specially designed storage facilities. Wastewater sludge containing radioactive nuclides is stored in a quarry. Approximately 0.4-0.65 GBq of artificial radionuclides are accumulated each year /112/.
Physical Pollution
Radiation, electromagnetic fields, thermal pollution and noise are the most common types of physical pollution, with the Ignalina power plant being the largest potential radioactive pollution source in Lithuania.
When operating at full capacity, the temperature of the cooling lake used by Ignalina rises some 3 degrees as a result of the discharged water. Thermal pollution has a significant impact upon the lake's ecosystem, while eutrophication is constantly increasing.
Transport and industry are not only the major air polluters but are sources of noise pollution, too. In certain city areas, noise levels are beyond the applicable standards. The Lithuanian Road Administration is preparing a standard for traffic noise reduction measures, as well as noise barriers in cities and close to roads. The European "Via Baltica" highway is currently under construction, and it will also include noise reduction measures that correspond to European standards. Noise intensity is regulated under the Lithuanian hygiene standard HN 33-1993: Acoustic noise: Permissible levels in residential and working environments: General requirements for noise measurement.
In 1996, 16.8 TWh of power was generated in Lithuania, 20 percent more than in 1995. Lietuvos energija not only supplies energy to consumers within the country but also exports abroad.
The largest power producers in Lithuania are combined heat and power or hydro power plants. Combined heat and power plants generated 12 percent of the electricity consumed in 1996, while 5 percent came from hydro power plants and 83 percent from Ignalina.
The major power plants in Lithuania include:
In 1996, electricity sales constituted 11.9 TWh, 24 percent higher than in 1995. This increase appears to be due to the increase in exports to the neighboring countries of Latvia and Belarus. This significant rise in production naturally leads to increases in pollution.
The main fuel types used in Lithuania are natural gas, heavy fuel oil and orimulsion. Lithuanian power plants started burning the new type of fuel orimulsion in August 1995.
When operating and maintaining the Ignalina plant, large quantities of radioactive waste are accumulated and stored in the plant's depositories. Water and air purified of radioactive substances are released under normal operation; however, when carrying out maintenance or in the event of an accident, pollution levels increase. Environmental pollution has decreased over the past few years because the plant is not operating at full capacity. Liquid radioactive waste, which accumulates during operations, is treated in order to remove the radioactive material. Nevertheless, radioactive pollutants enter Lake Druksiai via the discharge mechanism. Lake Druksiai serves as a natural cooling lake for Ignalina, and water used by the plant, as well as sewerage from the town of Visaginas, is discharged into this lake. Regular ecosystem observations in Lake Druksiai are carried out by the plant.
| TABLE 4.12: CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Projects and Clients | Sector | Status |
| Industrial Ecology Complex | Joint research with the Ministry of Environmental Protection composting wastewater treatment sludge | Wastewater | C |
| Wastewater from galvanic treatment in largest machinery companies, 5 projects | Wastewater | C | |
| Lithuanian Energy Institute | Establishment of technologically based pollution norms for the Mazeikiu nafta oil refinery | Air | C |
| Implementation of low NOx emissions burners in Vilnius power plant No. 2 | Air | C | |
| Reconstruction of burners for natural gas at the Lifosa company dryers | Energy | C | |
| State program for 1995-2000: "Utilization of local renewable energy sources" | Energy | P | |
| Institute of Environmental Engineering | Norwegian cleaner production school (17 CP projects) | EPM | F |
| USAID-WEC pollution prevention technical support program | Wastewater | P | |
| Electronic Inc. (USA) CP opportunities assessment at the Silva company | Wastewater | C | |
| Implementation of CP projects in the Lithuanian textile industry (8 companies) | Wastewater | P | |
| Kraft Jacobs Suchart Lietuva, monitoring of wastewater | Wastewater | C | |
| Lukrida Ltd. | Drainage for steam supply network in the Mazeikiu nafta plant | Energy | C |
| Improvement of energy use in the Lifosa company | Energy | C | |
| Automatic control of energy supply in Siauliu pienas dairy | Energy | C | |
| Improvement of energy efficiency in carbamid workshop at the Achema plant | Energy | C | |
| Nova Ltd. | "Biofuel and Bioenergy in Lithuania" project, subcontracted by the Ministry of Economics, the Achema plant, and various municipalities | Energy | P |
| Boicentras Ltd. | Butinge oil terminal monitoring program | EPM | P |
| Utilization of nonrecoverable oil products in Klaipeda region | Waste | P | |
| Treatment facilities for stormwater contaminated with oil products | Wastewater | C | |
| Production of biomass in treatment facilities for the use of specific pollutants | Waste | F | |
| Ekra | Reconstruction of Utena city wastewater treatment plant | Wastewater | P |
| Institute of Geography | Environmental audit of Sventoji sea port | EPM | C |
| Environmental audit for the potential of landfilling at the Klaipeda sea port in the Baltic Sea | EPM | C | |
| Examination of environmental projects 15-20 per year, subcontracted by REC | EPM | F | |
| Examination of hazardous waste concentrations in soil | EPM | P | |
| Institute of Geology | Geological maps of Vilnius, Kaunas, Siauliai, Alytus | Soil and land | F |
| Monitoring of the Lapes (Kaunas) landfill | Waste | P | |
| Monitoring of Ignalina nuclear power plant impact zone (groundwater) | Water | P | |
| Analysis of possibilities to utilize the sludge of the Kaunas wastewater treatment plant in peat bogs | Wastewater | P | |
| Research on the possibilities to use alternative energy sources | Energy | P | |
| Geoterma Ltd. | Demonstration of geothermal power plant in Klaipeda | Energy | P |
| Toksika Ltd. | Analysis of former military base territories, inventory, EIA | Soil and land | C |
| Agava Ltd. | Steam temperature management and control in the sizing department of the Alytaus textile company | Energy | C |
| Steam parameters management and control at the Vernitas company (steam traps, ultrasonic) | Energy | P | |
| Full automation control of the reservoir in use at the Aytaus textile company: temperature, pressure and level control and regulation | Wastewater | C | |
| Ardynas Ltd. | Design of central gas supply pipeline to Anyksciai and Utena | Energy | C |
| Environmental impact assessment in Kaunas city | EPM | C | |
| Amplitude Ltd. | Design and installation of alarm and fire alarm systems for industrial companies in Vilnius and the Vilnius region | Industrial Safety | P |
| Air monitoring in Marijampole Vernitas company and Vilnius Tauras company | Air | C | |
| Achema Ltd. | Wastewater treatment at the Mazeikiu nafta plant | Wastewater | C |
| Alytus fuel supply company | Soil treatment at the Alytus landfill | Soil | P |
| Collection of oil products from all industrial companies in Alytus and region | Waste | P | |
| Avsista Ltd. | Laboratory equipment for Lithuanian industrial companies, institutes, universities, schools, clinics, etc. (e.g. milk industrial companies such as Kauno pienas; Jonavos pienine; the textile industry, for wastewater analysis; Kauno audiniai; Audejas; and Linas) | Water and Wastewater | P |
| Bitas Ltd. | Installation of measurement equipment for gas concentration within all Lithuanian gas companies (Kaunas, Vilnius, Marijampole, Alytus and KT.) | Air | F |
| Consena Ltd. | Supply of drainage pipes for Butinge terminal | Wastewater | C |
| Installation of heat supply pipes for Telsiai city | Energy | C | |
| Waterproofing of the cathedral in Visaginas city | Water and Wastewater | C | |
| Waterproofing of the water tower in Kaisiadorys city | Water and Wastewater | C | |
| Dzutra Ltd. | Collection, separation and transportation of municipal waste in Alytus city | Waste | P |
| Institute of Ecology | Deepening of ports (Klaipeda port) | Soil and Land | C |
| Environmental Medical Center | Studies of the water reservoir pollution originating from transport in the city of Klaipeda | EPM | C |
| Study of influence of environment pollutants (e.g. heavy metals) on the health of Lithuanians | EPM | C | |
| Monitoring health of inhabitants and risk factors in Northern Lithuania (the project implements environmentally cleaner agriculture) | EPM | P | |
| Ekoprojektas Ltd. | Water supply sewerage development up to 2001 with calculations of hydraulic systems for Vilnius, Panevezys and Siauliai | Water | P |
| Water intakes from the groundwater resources: in Vilnius-Pagiriai, Karveliskes and Puskoriai plants. | Water | C | |
| Water pumping stations, clean water reservoirs and towers for the majority of Lithuanian cities | Water | C | |
| Waste management in different cities, general and detailed plans | Waste | C | |
| Gabija Ltd | Municipal, and industrial wastewater supply networks and treatment plants in Panevezys region | Wastewater | F |
| Hidroprojektas Ltd. | Reconstruction of the wastewater treatment plant in Kulupenu village, Kretinga region; Reconstruction of Kaunas region sand pits | Wastewater | C |
| Katra Ltd. | Supply of wastewater meters (i.e. ultrasonic water meters DS-02, ultrasonic water meters for open channels LMA-01) for 70 percent of Lithuanian industrial enterprises | Wastewater | P |
| Installation and maintenance of water meters for all private Lithuanian users | Water | P | |
| Kauno vandenys Ltd. | Environmental investments for the city of Kaunas, including water metering, improvement of potable water, wastewater treatment, renovation of pipe networks, and water treatment technology development | Water and Wastewater | P |
| Ortitas Ltd. | Air pollution laboratory analysis for Panevezys and regional industrial enterprises | Air | P |
| Pramprojektas Ltd. | Waste management for the Ignalina nuclear power station | Waste | P |
| Design of local waste and stormwater treatment plants | Waste | C | |
| Sluoksna Ltd. | Filtering and antistatic materials for the Akmens cementas, Ekranas plants | Air | C |
| Transport and Road Research Institute | "Transport and environment: A comprehensive strategy," subcontracted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection | EPM | C |
| Environmental audit of the transportation system in total according to the ISO 14000 standard | EPM | C | |
| Environmental impact assessment for sections of the VIA-BALTICA highway, subcontracted project of various municipalities | EPM | P | |
| Norms for hazardous materials emitted to the environment, subcontracted project for an asphalt production plant | EPM | P | |
| Upinis Ltd. | Aeration system for the Siauliai city | Wastewater | C |
| Wastewater plant in Zizmariai town | Wastewater | C | |
| Wastewater plant for Siauliu stumbras factory | Wastewater | C | |
| ViaCon Baltic Ltd. | Material supplies for VIA BALTICA project | Soil and noise control | P |
| Material supplies for Lapes landfill | Waste | P | |
| Material supplies for waste and stormwater sedimentation | Wastewater | P | |
| Reservoirs in Varena city | C | ||
| Uponor Ltd. | Supply of drainage pipes for Klaipeda terminal | Wastewater | C |
| Heat supply network in Vilnius | Energy | P | |
| Supply of pipes for wastewater treatment plant in Siauliai city | Wastewater | C | |
| Sulinis Ltd. | Soil treatment at Marijampole auto services (for Vaidmara and Daisotra companies) | Soil and land | F |
| Industrial waste utilization in the Marijampole region | Waste | P | |
| Status of the project: P = in progress, C = completed, F = completed, but includes follow-up work EPM = Environmental Planning and Management |
|||
It is important to mention that several companies refused to disclose commercial information about current projects and agreed only to supply information concerning projects that have been completed. Projects completed prior to 1997 have not been included in the table.
| TABLE 4.13: IMPORTANT CONTACT POINTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES | |
|---|---|
Ministry of Environmental Protection A. Juozapaviciaus 9 2600 Vilnius, Lithuania Mr. V. Bernadisius Tel: (370-2) 723-648 Fax (370-2) 728-020
Committee of Nature Protection of the Parliament
Environmental Protection Division of the Government of Lithuania
Bank of Lithuania
Ministry of Economy
Ministry of European Affairs
Ministry of Finance
|
Ministry of Construction and Urban Development A. Jaksto 4/9 2694 Vilnius, Lithuania Mr. J. Tamulionis Tel: (370-2) 623-714 Fax: (370-2) 220-847
Lithuanian Development Agency
Lithuanian Manufacturers Confederation
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Engineering Ecology Association
Vilnius Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Crafts
Kaunas Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Handicrafts
|
Information on international tenders for larger projects tend to be announced by industrial companies or municipalities themselves. For smaller projects, the Ministry of Environmental Protection is considered a good source of information for business opportunities. Willingness to provide information varies from department to department. Some officials are helpful, while others are only capable of referring an applicant to another department or state body. Departments of the Ministry of Environmental Protection that can provide information on project opportunities by sector are listed in Table 4.14.
| TABLE 4.14: USEFUL CONTACT POINTS BY ENVIRONMENTAL SECTOR | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Organization Name and Address | Contact Name, Position and Telephone Number |
| Air | Ministry of Environmental Protection (MoEP), Environmental Quality Department, Air Division A. Juozapaviciaus 9, 2600 Vilnius |
V. Krusinskas, Chief of Dept. Tel: (370-2) 722-138 |
| Transport and Road Research Institute Kanto 25, 3000 Kaunas |
Jankauskiene Nijole, Head of Environmental Protection Div. Tel: (370-7) 202-361 |
|
| Water | MoEP, Environmental Quality Department, Water Division A. Juozapaviciaus 9, 2600 Vilnius |
R. Sakalauskas, Chief of Dept. Tel: (370-2) 723-324 |
| Lithuanian Water Management Institute Kedainiu region, Vilainiai, Parko 6 |
Dr. Antanas Sigitas Sileika, Director Tel: (370-57) 52-931 |
|
| Hidroprojektas, Department of Technical Development K. Donelaicio 33, 3000 Kaunas |
Algirdas Grinkevicius, Chief of Dept. Tel: (370-7) 225-357 |
|
| Waste | MoEP, Environmental Quality Department, Waste Division A. Juozapaviciaus 9, 2600 Vilnius |
Irena Gaveniene, Chief of Dept. Tel: (370-2) 723-324 |
| JSC Pramprojektas K. Donelaicio 60, 3000 Kaunas |
Henrikas Ridzevskis, Technical Director Tel: (370-7) 223-355 |
|
| Soil | MoEP, Environmental Quality Department, Soil Division A. Juozapaviciaus 9, 2600 Vilnius |
A. Cepele, Chief of Dept. Tel: (370-2) 728-054 |
| Energy | Lithuanian Energy Institute Breslaujos g. 3, 3035 Kaunas |
Romualdas Skema, Deputy Director Tel: (370-7) 351-403 |
| Other | Institute of Environmental Engineering Kaunas University of Technology K. Donelaicio 20, 3000 Kaunas |
Prof. Jurgis Staniskis, Director Tel: (370-2) 209-372 |
| Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Environmental Protection Department Sauletekio Ave 11, 2040 Vilnius |
Prof. P. Baltrenas Tel: (370-2) 765-298 |
|
| MoEP, General Strategy Department, Project Management Unit A. Juozapaviciaus 9, 2600 Vilnius |
Giedre Vasiliauskiene, Chief of Dept. Tel: (370-2) 723-257 |
|
| Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe Ady Endre út 9-11, 2000 Szentendre, Hungary |
Gerald Fancoj, Business Services Tel: (36-26) 504-000 |
|
Based on the survey interviews, the most common sources used for gathering information prior to the purchase of environmental technologies include:
| TABLE 4.15: PRINCIPAL BUSINESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED PUBLICATIONS | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Readership Among Respondents |
| Publications of the Ministry of Environmental Protection of Lithuania | 92% |
| Lietuvos rytas (Morning of Lithuania) | 90% |
| Respublika (Republic) | 90% |
| Verslo zinios (Business news) | 85% |
| Mokslas ir gyvenimas (Science and Life) | 76% |
| Kauno diena (Kaunus Day) | 46% |
| Aplinkos tyrimai, inzinerija ir vadyba (Environmental Research, Engineering and Management) | 15% |
| Ekologija (Ecology) | 12% |
Local publications, as mentioned by some respondents, do not provide sufficient information on business opportunities and environmental technologies; therefore, foreign publications such as Industry and Environment and Environmental Health Perspectives Supplements are popular among experts. Another important type of publication are the publications of different associations and unions, such as the Association of Local Authorities of Lithuania.
Trade fairs and exhibitions have increased in number and in frequency during recent years, but only a few are environment related. Nevertheless, the majority of respondents recognized and outlined the importance are fairs and exhibitions as sources of information. Table 4.16 presents the most significant environment related fairs in Lithuania. The most important environmental fair is Baltecologia, Baltcontrola, Baltenergia, Balttechnika, for which some respondents cited the useful seminars and workshops that tend to be organized during this fair.
| TABLE 4.16: ENVIRONMENT RELATED FAIRS IN LITHUANIA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Name of Fair | City | Approximate Date | Focus |
| Agrobalt | Vilnius | Annually in May | Agricultural, food and packaging industry |
| Statyba | Vilnius | Annually in October | Building, sanitary, heating |
| Statyba ir Remontas | Vilnius | Annually in March | Building and renovation |
| Infobalt | Vilnius | Annually in October | Computer hardware, software services |
| Remontas ir Sanitarija | Vilnius | Annually in May | Building, repairs, sanitary issues |
| Baltecologia, Baltcontrola, Baltenegia, Balttechnika | Vilnius | Annually in May | All environmental sectors |
| Info Kaunas | Kaunas | Annually | Computer hardware, software services |
| Baltijos Statyba | Kaunas | Annually | Building, sanitary issues, heating |
| Siuolaikine Statyba ir Remontas | Siauliai | Annually | Building, sanitary issues, heating |
| Note: Those in bold indicate the most important environmental fairs | |||
