Ageing processes in the chemical industry

Many chemical companies in the Netherlands were built after the 2nd World War and put into operation, and nowadays many chemical installations have reached the (near-)end of their life. In 2017, to prevent ageing problems of all kinds, Seveso inspectors and specialists (Dutch: BRZO inspectors) started inspecting Lower-tier and Upper-tier establishments (250 respectively 170 establishments) on the ageing theme. Ageing, such as degradation of mechanisms which affect the vitality, reliability and safety of process installations, is an important inspection theme since Seveso III Directive 2012/18/EU. Companies are responsible for safe processes, and according to the law they should "take all measures to comply". When they don’t comply, the government will protect the people and environment by enforcing compliance. But what exactly is compliance with respect to the ageing theme? This article introduces the current situation of ageing processes and makes recommendations on physical, obsolete and obsolescence and organizational ageing.