ENVIRONMENTAL-PROTECTION IN THE SUGAR-IND USTRY OF EASTERN GERMANY

Restructuring of the east German sugar industry began in 1991 with the acquisition from the then privatization agency of the private limited liability companies constituted from the 42 sugar factories in the fo rmer GDR by west German and Danish sugar companies. This involved an i nvestment of around DM2.5bn, of which an estimated DM250mn to DM300mn is accounted for by measures directly or indirectly related to environ mental protection. Starting from the situation at the time, the advanc es achieved in dealing with emission problems in the areas of noise an d air pollution, waste water, and beet soil disposal are illustrated b y the examples of a rebuilt existing sugar factory and a newly constru cted plant. Particular attention is given to the waste water treatment and air pollution control of the sugar factories in the new east Germ an states. The preferred waste water treatment is by an anaerobic/aero bic installation with acidulation and nitrogen elimination. In the fie ld of air pollution, aside from cutting the amount of waste gas produc ed by reducing energy requirements, flue gas desulfurization through a dditives (waste lime cake, white lime hydrate, limestone flour, milk o f lime) and flue gas particulate control (electrostatic filters, cyclo nes, fabric filters, flue gas scrubbers), in particular, have led to a sharp reduction in SO2 and dust emissions.