KSG GmbH, based in Gornsdorf, Saxony/Germany, is subject to the provisions of the 12th Federal Immission Control Ordinance (12th BImSchV). The company is licensed as an operating area. Due to the hazardous substances used and stored in the operating area, KSG is classified as an operating area in the lower class of the 12th BImSchV. On the basis of this classification, we are obliged to make certain information available to the public electronically.
This includes information on the use of hazardous substances. Hazardous substances in hazard categories E1, E2, H1, H2, P5c and P8 are used in the KSG. However, KSG is classified in the lower class of the 12th BImSchV exclusively on the basis of exceeding the quantity threshold of environmentally hazardous substances of categories E1 and E2 in column 4 of Annex 1 of the above-mentioned ordinance. These are mainly dissolved copper salt compounds. Cu2+ ions are harmful to human health and are particularly toxic to many small organisms such as bacteria, fungi and algae. If damage occurs in higher plants, this manifests itself in reduced root growth and chlorosis. Dissolved copper salts are considered to be highly hazardous to water because, as already mentioned, they are toxic to bacteria and algae, but also to crustaceans and fish. Indirectly, copper causes environmental damage as it catalyzes the formation of dioxins and furans during waste incineration. The plant operator is aware of these potential hazards. For this reason, the plant is operated in accordance with the recognized rules of "best available technology" (BAT information sheets and conclusions) of the Industrial Emissions Directive of the European Union (amending Directive 2024/1785/EU).
We have been operating an environmental management system since 2007 and, in addition to the applicable environmental and occupational health and safety laws, are subject to special official requirements for the construction and operation of environmentally relevant facilities. KSG operates its own wastewater treatment plant and is an indirect discharger into the public wastewater network of the ZWW.
A siren is available locally in the municipality to warn the population. Another option is to make voice announcements with instructions on specific behavior, which can be made via mobile sirens (vehicles of the emergency services with voice announcements) or via local media (e.g. radio). The content of these announcements will be decided by the incident command on site or the responsible authority after consultation and depending on the situation. In the event of a fire, possible instructions should always include closing windows and doors, as with any unintentional combustion process. If water is involved after a possible leakage of environmentally hazardous substances, the instructions for conduct will depend on the situation with the involvement of the responsible authorities.
As a company in the lower class of the 12th BlmSchV, KSG is monitored by a wide variety of authorities. The integrated monitoring of KSG in accordance with § 52 BlmSchG and § 16 of the 12th BlmSchV, which takes place at regular intervals, represents a highlight of the company audit. On this occasion, KSG is simultaneously inspected by the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology, Plant Safety and Accident Prevention, the Saxony State Directorate and the Erzgebirge District Office for compliance with the statutory provisions. The last appointment in this category took place on 19.09.2023. No deficiencies or violations were identified in KSG's operations.
Detailed information on the on-site inspection and the monitoring plan in accordance with Section 17 (1) and on environmental information can be obtained on request from the State Office for the Environment, Agriculture and Geology (LfULG) Department 52, taking into account the protection of public or private interests in accordance with federal and state regulations. This information is available electronically on the LfULG website https://www.lfulg.sachsen.de/
Further environmental information can be found on the KSG website (www.ksg-pcb.com), the municipality of Gornsdorf (www.gornsdorf-erzgebirge.de) and the website of the Erzgebirgskreis district administration (www.erzgebirgskreis.de). The websites of the supra-regional nature conservation and environmental associations are also available.
Status: 09.04.2025
We are pleased to announce that there are currently no environmental incidents to report. This period of stability encourages us to continue our efforts to protect the environment and pursue our goals for a sustainable future.