This project demonstrates a groundbreaking technological solution that enables several high temperature manufacturing industries that fall under the Emission Trading Scheme to cut down GHG emissions significantly and additionally improve air quality. As industrial pollution is of major concern to the European Union, the scope of such project might be eligible for several EU funding programs. Hence, the project partners carefully considered eligibility under several other European funding programs such as Horizon 2020 and the European Regional Development Fund as well.
However, demonstrating OPTIMELTTM technology is deemed to have the best fit with LIFE as its scope directly relates to the priority area of climate mitigation and moreover, contributes to the 2015 EU policy priority for Energy Intensive Industries.
As Libbey is one of the biggest employers in the region (about 40% or 200 employees live in Leerdam) it is closely linked to the local economy and population. The following socio-economic effects are identified: