The paper presents the results of an investigation of the gases emission of moulding sands with an inorganic (geopolymer) binder with a relaxation additive, whose main task is to reduce the final (residual) strength and improves knocking-out properties of moulding sand. The moulding sand without a relaxation additive was the reference point. The research was carried out using in accordance with the procedure developed at the Faculty of Foundry Engineering of AGH - University of Science and Technology, on the patented stand for determining gas emissions. Quantification of BTEX compounds was performed involving gas chromatography method (GC).The study showed that the introduction of relaxation additive has no negative impact on gas emissions - both in terms of the total amount of gases generated, as well as emissions of BTEX compounds. Among the BTEX compounds, only benzene is emitted from the tested moulding sands. Its emission is associated with the introduction a small amount of an organic hardener from the group of esters.

Obligation to use the best available technology (BAT) in the protection of the environment is envisaged in many international treaties. It is not only legal, but also moral obligation. Treaties concluded under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that aim at the protection of the environment and the prevention of pollution from ships, enshrine the precautionary principle which encompasses the obligation to use the best available technology. Many IMO treaties consider technological development, some of them even drive it, however, not all standards are based on the best and the newest solutions. The discussion at the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee regarding the energy efficiency design index demonstrates the impact of political and economic interests on the text of adopted standards. The Initial IMO strategy on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ships identifies levels of ambitions consistent with the Paris Agreement. In the shipping industry this will be achieved, if the adopted standards were based on the best available technology.