Background The EU Industrial Emissions Directive defines emission limit values for a wide variety of industrial activities. Permits for industrial activities are granted under the IED on the basis that installations implement best available techniques for their sector, which are described in best available technique reference documents, or BREFs. Production of magnesium oxide is covered by a BREF on cement, lime and magnesium oxide (CLM). Magnesium oxide production generates sulphur dioxide, mainly from fuel combustion to generate the high required amount of thermal energy. However, the effectiveness of the SO2 abatement techniques in the CLM BREF has not yet been proved for the magnesium oxide sector. Magnesium oxide production has increased in recent years in the EU with, as well as SO2, emissions of nitrous oxides, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The CLM BREF references flue gas desulphurisation as the main technique for SO2 emissions abatement. This involves wet scrubbing with reagents that neutralise the SO2. The technique is efficient in reducing sulphur dioxide emissions but consumes high volumes of water and has other disadvantages. An alternative is dry desulphurisation, but this involves use of hazardous absorbers and generates low-added value solid waste. Objectives The LIFEPOSITIVEMgOFGD project will demonstrate that a new dry technology based on magnesium oxide reagents can be an effective desulphurisation solution for magnesite processing, especially for facilities located in areas with limited water resources. The project will test at full scale a technique to treat the combustion gases of a magnesite calcination rotary kiln located at the beneficiary's site in northern Greece, an area of limited water availability. The technique will generate waste in the form of a mixture of magnesium sulphate and magnesium oxide powders, which will be used to produce fertilisers and construction materials. Expected results: The LIFEPOSITIVEMgOFGD project will prove the efficiency of a new dry flue gas desulphurisation technology, with the following quantitative results: A total reduction in sulphur oxides of 1 000-3 500 miligrammes per normal cubic metre (Nm3), to reach a SOx level below 1 500 mg/Nm3; A recovery rate of at least 75% of magnesium oxide sub-product from old mining waste; A recovery rate of at least 90% of the generated solid waste, which will be used for the production of fertilisers and construction materials; A reduction of at least 40% in energy consumption, compared to wet technologies; A reduction of at least 80% of the use of water, as compared to wet flue gas desulphurisation; Operation of a full-scale pilot installation, which will allow technical specifications and operating parameters for optimum performance to be determined, so that the technique can be considered as a best available technique when the CLM BREF is revised; A demonstration that the dry technology can be replicated in other plants because of the reduced investment requirements and operating costs. The technique also permits easy retrofitting of current installations, and produces a reusable by-product; A life-cycle analysis to demonstrate the environmental and socio-economic benefits of the new technology; and Promotion of the project's results to the magnesia sector and to other energy-intensive sectors that rely on fuels that contain sulphur.