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Schwedt Refinery Faces Legal Challenge After Emissions Exception Approved

Environmental group Deutsche Umwelthilfe seeks to block sulfur dioxide permit as PCK commits to upgrades and workers rally for job security.

Verschiedene Anlagen der Rohölverarbeitung auf dem Gelände der PCK-Raffinerie GmbH im brandenburgischen Schwedt.
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Overview

  • Brandenburg's environment agency granted the PCK refinery a temporary permit to exceed daily SO₂ limits, capped at 1,000 mg/m³, with annual emissions offsets required through 2027.
  • The permit was justified by the agency as essential to PCK's survival after switching to higher-sulfur crude oil due to Germany's ban on Russian pipeline imports.
  • Deutsche Umwelthilfe has filed objections and plans legal action to challenge the permit, arguing PCK should have invested earlier in desulfurization technology.
  • Employees and regional leaders held a demonstration in Schwedt, demanding extended federal job guarantees, pipeline investment, and clarity on the refinery’s ownership.
  • PCK has pledged to upgrade its sulfur recovery systems, while uncertainty persists over its future ownership as Rosneft's majority stake remains under federal trust.