On December 2, 2025, Supreme Decree No. 50 was published in the Official Gazette, establishing the Emission Standard for pollutants generated in the manufacture of kraft or sulfate pulp that, due to their odors, cause nuisance and pose a risk to the population’s quality of life.
The purpose of the standard is to protect public health and improve quality of life by preventing and controlling the emission of pollutants from kraft or sulfate pulp manufacturing that, due to their odors, cause nuisance and represent a risk to the population.
The main new elements introduced by the emission standard are the following:
New maximum emission limits for TRS (measured as H₂S): The Decree sets emission limits for Total Reduced Sulfur compounds (“TRS”), measured as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S):
- Recovery Boiler: 5 ppmv
- Lime Kiln (new): 10 ppmv
- Horno de Cal (nuevo): 10 ppmv
- Dedicated Incinerator: 10 ppmv
- Dedicated Power Boiler: 10 ppmv
New requirements for vent gases: The emission standard introduces new obligations, including:
- • Mandatory reporting of each venting event to the SMA and affected municipalities within 24 hours.
- • Continuous temperature monitoring in venting ducts, with online connection to the SMA.
- • TRS combustion equipment must operate at or above 99% of monthly operating time.
- • Existing emission sources lacking TRS treatment or bottling systems—whether for concentrated or diluted gases, located before or after the vent outlet—must implement such systems within a 3-year period.
Regulation of backup equipment (incinerators and power boilers): These units must operate at a regime temperature equal to or greater than 650°C, with continuous monitoring connected online to SMA systems. Strict restrictions are established in the event of temperature drops.
New conditions for the operation of emergency or regulation ponds: They may only be used in qualified emergency or extraordinary situations reported to the SMA and must be emptied as soon as possible or kept at defined minimum levels.
Monitoreo continuo obligatorio: Todas las fuentes emisoras reguladas, nuevas y existentes, deberán contar con sistemas de monitoreo continuo conectados en línea con la SMA, conforme al Protocolo de Validación del Sistema de Monitoreo Continuo de Emisiones (CEMS).
Mandatory continuous monitoring: All regulated emission sources, both new and existing, must have continuous monitoring systems connected online with the SMA, in accordance with the Validation Protocol for Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS).
Entrada en vigencia y derogación: El decreto entra en vigencia en 6 meses desde su publicación y el D.S. N°37/2012 queda derogado desde esa fecha.
Entry into force and repeal: The decree enters into force 6 months after its publication, and Supreme Decree No. 37/2012 is repealed as of that date.
