The objective of the LIFE PMFree-Ports project ‘Air Quality Improvement and Emission Reduction of PM10/2.5 in Bulk Ports: LIFE PMFree-Ports’, is to develop and optimize an environmental operational control tool to predict, control and minimize PM10 and PM2.5 particulate emissions associated with the handling of bulk solids in ports.

In 2023, European Union ports handled more than 700 million tons of bulk solids, an activity that generates fugitive emissions of particulate matter that affect both air quality in port areas and in nearby urban areas. Reducing these emissions is essential to ensure clean air for European citizens, in line with EU regulations and the objectives of the Zero Pollution Action Plan, as air pollution remains one of the main environmental problems affecting public health in Europe.

The project will contribute to this objective by quantifying fugitive emissions of particulate matter and assessing the effectiveness of existing mitigation measures and best practices. Its comprehensive approach will improve air quality at bulk terminals by facilitating the selection of the most effective operational protocols to reduce emissions.

The developed tool will be integrated into the port management systems, incorporating the environmental variable in a structural way in the daily operations of the sector.

Fundacion Valenciaport will actively participate in the project, being responsible for managing the demonstration phase in the Port of Valencia. Its tasks will include the analysis of PM10/2.5 emission factors and efficiencies, the validation of the developed tool, the performance of pilot tests with the agents involved and its collaboration in dissemination and networking activities.