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Since 1904 trade, storage and analysis of chemical and petrochemical products |
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What is a "coastal terminal"? Why is the coastal terminal of Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. particularly strategic? Isn't it dangerous? What type of checks and inspections are carried out? Who carries out these checks and inspections? As a citizen, what guarantees do I have regarding emissions into the air and atmosphere? Are there other similar activities in the same area? How many people are involved in these activities? What solutions have been adopted in other European cities for the location of coastal terminals? Are Carmagnani and Superba the same company? What does "petrochemical" means? What type of products are stocked by Carmagnani? What are they used for? What is "flash point"? How much of the petroleum products of the port handled by Carmagnani? What does Attilio Carmagnani make? We live near the railway tracks and since the Viareggio disaster rail tankers concern us. Could something like that happen here? Could an accident like the one that happened in 1987 occur at Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A.? What would the consequences of a major accident at the terminal be? Is there an External Emergency Plan of the area in case of accident? Is the general population informed? What is a "coastal terminal"? A coastal terminal is a facility consisting of equipment and systems (mainly tanks, piping and pumps) for receiving, stocking and delivering products. No production activities are carried out in coastal terminals. Products are simply stored there in tanks. The features of these terminals is that they are located near the sea, close to ports to which they are connected by means of pipes for transporting products by ship. For this reason, coastal terminals are strategically important for the national economy. Why is the coastal terminal of Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. particularly strategic? Most of the goods supplying the entire North West of Italy pass through the Port of Genoa. This port is the most suitable in Italy because it is closer to destination industries, not prone to fog like the ports of the Adriatic Sea and because of the deeper sea can be used by larger ships. Furthermore, the coastal terminal of Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. is the only one in the province of Genoa to be authorised for haulage of chemical products on railways. Isn't it dangerous? The dangerousness of coastal terminals is classified by law according to the type and amount of stocked products. More specifically, the terminal of Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. is classified as "hazardous" in accordance with Italian Law 334/99 because flammable products and products harmful for sea life are stocked there. As confirmed, among others by the Genoa City Authorities, "a high risk plant is not necessarily a danger for the population if adequate safety measures are adopted in system design, construction, management and maintenance". The law requires the company to adopt strict procedures for compliance and inspections by the Fire Brigade Regional Technical Committee (CTR, formed by the experts from the Fire Brigade, ARPAL, the Region, the Province and the City). After having examined the Safety Report written by Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A., the CTR concluded that the terminal is compatible with its location. up What type of checks and inspections are carried out? Checks and inspections of various type are carried out continuously at the terminal of Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A.: internal, by third parties, on systems and on operator behaviour. In other words, checks and inspections are run on water drains, emissions into the atmosphere, noise, waste, soil, systems, devices and equipment. The Safety Management, Environment and Quality systems are also constantly monitored. Who carries out these checks and inspections? Checks and inspections are continuous and carried out by several different organisations. In particular:
up As a citizen, what guarantees do I have regarding emissions into the air and atmosphere? Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. monitors emissions into the environment in accordance with a specific authorisation issued by the Province of Genoa. This authorisation requires emissions to be conveyed into an ultramodern abetment system. The efficiency of this system must be monitored, as must the quality of the environment air in the area surrounding the terminal. The results of the various checks and inspections are submitted to the respectively competent authorities for independent verification. up Are there other similar activities in the same area? Other activities are present in the area surrounding the coastal terminal. These include the chemical-goods analysis laboratory of Analisi & Controlli S.p.A., the offices of forwarding agents G. M. Puppo S.r.l. and other companies operating in the field of chemical product sales and logistics, such as Metachem, Laboratorio Cosulich, Watson Gray, Adam Shipping and Saybolt. The presence of other complementary companies makes this an industrial district of key importance. up How many people are involved in these activities? Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. alone has a staff of approximately 30, while other 18 people are employed at the chemical laboratory of Analisi & Controlli S.p.A. Other professionals work for Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. in addition to employed personnel totally a staff of more than 60 people. up What solutions have been adopted in other European cities for the location of coastal terminals? Coastal terminals are located in or nearby the areas of major ports across Europe, just like the terminal of Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. up Are Carmagnani and Superba the same company? No: Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. is a family-run company owned by the Carmagnani, Bonetti and Rossi families, while Superba S.r.l. belongs to the PIR Group (Petrolifera Italo Rumena). up What does "petrochemical" means? The word "petrochemical" refers to operations related to refining of petroleum and derived products. Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. does not process the stocked products in any manner and all activities are classified as logistic. up What type of products are stocked by Carmagnani? What are they used for? Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. today mainly stocks liquid solvents used by the companies who own the material, particularly for the production of plastic and paint thinners. Since the end of 2010, Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. has been authorised to stock mineral oil, including biodiesel of vegetable origin and lubricant oil. up What is "flash point"? The flash point of a combustible is the minimum temperature (at the pressure of 1 atm) at which the substance produces sufficient vapours to form a flammable mixture with oxygen. Flammable liquids are classified for the purposes of safety according to Italian Law 31/07/1934 specifically according to their flammability as follows:
For example, the flash point of petrol is -40°C. The flash point of o-Xylene is +32°C. Links to the main product stocked and handled at the terminal: o-Xylene Cyclohexanone Xylene Isobutanol Butanol Pseudocumene White spirit Lubricant oil Biodiesel o-Xylene Intermediate liquid for the production of phthalic anhydride, which is turn is used as intermediate product in the synthesis of other chemical products (colourings, insecticides, plasticisers, resins, pharmaceuticals). Other uses of o-xylene are in the field of bactericides, herbicides and lubricants. Flash point: 32°C % on total products handled (t/year): 50%. Approximately 60% of all o-xylene is delivered by means of rail tankers. Cyclohexanone Intermediate key liquid for the production of caprolactam, adipic acid, nylon 6 and nylon 6-6. The latter are the two nylon polymers most used for the production of fibres for textile applications and industrial applications such as, in particular, plastic and rubber. Cyclohexanone is further used as solvent for gluing and assembly of plastic parts for medical and surgical devices and as additive in inks. Flash point: 46°C % on total products handled (t/year): 25% Xylene Liquid mainly used as paint component and thinner. It is also used as solvent for printing, for processing rubber and leather, as cleaning agent for steel and as pesticide. Small amounts may be found in jet fuel and diesel. Another frequent use is in test laboratories for processing histological samples. Flash point: 25°C % on total products handled (t/year): 2% Isobutanol This liquid is mainly used as solvent and as intermediate compound in the synthesis of other substances. It is used in the field of insecticides. Flash point: 28°C % on total products handled (t/year): 0.2% Butanol This liquid is mainly used as solvent in the production of paint. It prevents clear varnish from clouding when dried in damp environment. It is also used as intermediate product in the synthesis of ethers and esters, in the synthesis reactions of which it doubles as solvent. Flash point: 28°C % on total products handled (t/year): 0.2% Pseudocumene This liquid is fundamentally used for the production of carboxyphthalic anhydride, which is used above all in the field of resins (for the production of insulating varnish for electric cables and paint powders and, in part, for the production of special plasticisers, such as electric cable sheaths, roofing panels, imitation leather, dashboard and automotive interiors). Other minor uses are in the field of pharmaceuticals, colourings, and plasticisers. Flash point: 44°C % on total products handled (t/year): 5% White spirit This liquid is used as thinner in paint production. Flash point: 64°C % on total products handled (t/year): 2% Lubricant oil Lubricant oil storage started in 2011 after having obtained authorisation by the Province of Genoa. The oils currently stored and handled are used as lubricants for mechanical parts. In the future, we plant to store technical and pharmaceutical white oil used for making pesticides, in the cosmetic, winemaking and food-processing industry and for making plastic and rubber intended to come into contact with cosmetics, food and beverages. By way of example, many cosmetics for infants (body oil, nappy creams) contain this product as main ingredient. Flash point: approximately 200°C Biodiesel Non-hazardous liquid of vegetable origin used mainly as automotive fuel. Flash point: > 101°C up How much of the petroleum products of the port handled by Carmagnani? As indicated on the website of Porto Petroli di Genova S.p.A. the chemical products handled by Carmagnani and Superba jointly total only 2%. up What does Attilio Carmagnani make? Nothing at all! Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. only stocks finished products and markets chemical and petrochemical products. up We live near the railway tracks and since the Viareggio disaster rail tankers concern us. Could something like that happen here? The possibility of an accident like the one which occurred in Viareggio could be related to the transit of rail tankers carrying LPG on the Genoa-Ventimiglia railway line. This has nothing to do with Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. neither handles nor stores gas. Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. only handles category B and C liquids in tankers. up Could an accident like the one that happened in 1987 occur at Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A.? An accident like the one which occurred in 1987 is today considered unlikely due to the lack of category A products and because of the technological progress of the past 20 years. The main measures adopted by Attilio Carmagnani "AC" S.p.A. for preventing accidents are: PRECAUTIONS ON SYSTEM LEVEL The main precautions adopted on system level are:
PRECAUTIONS ON OPERATIVE LEVEL Precautions on operative level essentially avoid release, fire and explosions and mainly consists of:
MEASURES ADOPTED FOR PREVENTING RISKS DUE TO HUMAN ERROR Measures are adopted on organisational and procedural level to reduce the possibility of accidents caused by system operating errors. This is possible by adopting periodical training and information schemes described in the safety management system manual. These plans comply with the requirements set forth in standards and regulations. Other standards and operative instructions are provided. The utmost importance is devoted to personnel training. PRECAUTIONS IN CASE OF NATURAL DISASTERS, EXPLOSIONS AND FIRE The system was designed in accordance with the standards in force when it was built (see Italian Law 31/07/1934), including precautions concerned stress of natural and accidental origin. up What would the consequences of a major accident at the terminal be? Calculations conduced in the Safety Report, analysed and approved by the Fire Brigade Regional Technical Committee indicate that the credible effects of an unlikely major accident would remain within the confines of the plant. up Is there an External Emergency Plan of the area in case of accident? Is the general population informed? Yes, an External Emergency Plan was written by the Genoa Prefecture. In accordance with Law 334 of 17/8/1999, the Mayor is responsible for informing the population on the risks related to certain hazardous substances present in plants located within the town boundaries. The population is informed by distributing leaflets compiled by the owners of the hazardous industrial activities complete with indications, contained in the external emergency plan written by the Prefecture, of the safety measures and behaviours to be followed in case of major accident. up |
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| ATTILIO CARMAGNANI "AC" S.p.A VIA DEI REGGIO, 2 - 16155 GENOVA Tel.+39.010.6006.1 - Fax.:+39.010.6006.230 management@carmagnani.com |  |
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