BAT Conclusions for Food, Drink and Milk Industries

Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2031 sets out the Best Available Techniques (BAT) conclusions for food, drink, and milk production facilities under the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU). These BAT conclusions establish environmental performance standards and technical requirements to reduce emissions to air, water, and soil, while improving resource efficiency and sustainability in these sectors.

The decision covers key areas such as energy efficiency, water management, waste treatment, and pollution prevention. It introduces benchmarks for reducing nitrogen compounds, organic matter, and greenhouse gas emissions, alongside measures for odor and noise control. Facilities must adopt BAT-based practices, including advanced wastewater treatment, heat recovery systems, and optimized cleaning processes.

Importantly, the BAT conclusions encourage the valorisation of organic waste streams through anaerobic digestion, enabling the production of biogas or biomethane, and other recovery processes. These measures aim to minimize waste sent to disposal, promote circular economy principles, and support compliance with EU sustainability objectives. By implementing BAT, operators can reduce environmental impacts while maintaining competitiveness in the food and beverage industry.

Relevance to bio-waste and/or circular bioeconomy:

The decision supports bio-waste valorisation by promoting anaerobic digestion and other recovery processes for organic waste from food and drink production. These measures enable energy recovery, reduce landfill disposal, and enhance resource efficiency. By integrating waste treatment into production systems, the BAT conclusions strengthen circular economy principles and contribute to sustainable industry practices.

 EU

Full title: Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2019/2031 of 12 November 2019 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for the food, drink and milk industries, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (notified under document C(2019) 7989

Publication date: 2019

Instrument type: Implementing Decision

Binding for EU MS: Yes

Keywords: best available techniques, BAT, food industry, drink industry, milk industry, waste treatment, anaerobic digestion, biogas, bio-waste, circular economy, energy efficiency, pollution prevention