EMISSIONS at a chipboard production plant near Auchinleck are being assessed by Scotland's environmental watchdog after an increase in 'heavy chemical' pollutants was detected.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) says a rise in emission levels at the Barony EGGER site was detected from 2020 to 2021.

The increase was discovered as part of SEPA's Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory checks.The chipboard production and wood recycling plant in East Ayrshire is not the only site under review from SEPA.

A facility in Cowie, near Stirling, is also being checked out.

The watchdog says no wrong-doing has been found at either site.

SEPA requires operators in the paper and wood production and processing sector to comply with UK protocols to protect the environment.

They must test for and reject recycled wood contaminated with halogenated products such as preservatives and paints.

They must also monitor heavy metals and other chemicals and report these values to SEPA under SPRI.

SEPA says that ongoing work is being carried to assess the reported emissions in further detail

A spokesperson for SEPA said: “Quality control checks of our Scottish Pollutant Release Inventory [SPRI] data last year identified an increase in reported emissions of heavy metals and other chemicals to air between 2020 and 2021 at Norbord Europe Ltd in Cowie and Egger in Cumnock.

“SEPA has since reviewed compliance against current permit conditions at these sites in relation to controls on incoming waste wood and found no non-compliances.

"We are currently undertaking further assessment work on the reported emissions.”

EGGER had also been accussed of lobbying local representative MSPs off the back of the report in higher emissions.

However Heiko Lichtblau, plant director at the Barony site, said that these meetings are all within Scottish Government regulations, and that the company is acutely aware of the environmental impact of its work.

Heiko said: “As a responsible manufacturer, we meet all of our environmental obligations. We are regulated by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency under integrated pollution prevention control, and do not exceed the permitted limits.

“Aside from formaldehyde, the emissions listed come from the re-processing of recycled wood used to produce our chipboard panels.

"Formaldehyde is naturally emitted from wood during drying, which is a vital part of the chipboard manufacturing process.

“We constantly invest in technology to improve our environmental performance, and have planning permission to install a second wet electro static precipitator and a combined heat power plant to further reduce our emissions.

“EGGER's engagement with elected members is to provide updates on the operations and investment across the business.

"We have regularly met with local MPs and MSPs over the last 25 years and this has been reported in line with the Scottish Government regulations.”