RESIDENTIAL HEATING & VENTILATION


Breaking down MCPD compliance: your path to meeting emission limits


Bernard Dawson, technical director at Riello Limited, part of EMEA Residential and Light Commercial, focuses on demystifying the technical aspects of MCPD compliance and explains how burner technologies can make it easier to meet regulatory requirements


T


he medium combustion plant directive (MCPD) has been in place for six years, with its impact steadily increasing across industries reliant on


combustion technology. Introduced in December 2018, the legislation is designed to curb air pollution by regulating emissions of sulphur oxides (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NO2), and particulate matter from combustion plants ranging from 1 MW to 50 MW thermal input. The EU is home to approximately 143,000 medium


combustion plants (MCPD), which serve critical functions such as electricity generation, domestic heating and cooling, and industrial heat or steam production. With a crucial compliance deadline approaching for larger existing installations now is the time for plant operators to ensure their equipment meets the required standards.


Understanding the compliance timeline


Under the MCPD, all new combustion plants commissioned on or after December 20, 2018, must already meet the directive’s emission limits. However, existing combustion plants face staggered deadlines based on their size: • Plants with a thermal firing capacity ≥5,000 kW must have complied by January 1, 2025. • Plants between 1,000 kw and <5,000 kW have until January 1, 2030. The variation in deadlines gives operators of smaller installations more time to assess their


upgrade options. However, those running larger combustion plants must ensure compliance and avoid potential fines or operational disruptions.


Objectives and broader regulatory impact


The MCPD aims to protect both the environment and public health by limiting emissions from MCPS. It fills the majority of the regulatory gap between large combustion plants (>50 MWth) covered by the industrial emissions directive (IED) and smaller heating and hot water appliances (<400 kWth) regulated under the ecodesign directive. Additionally, the directive implements obligations arising from the Gothenburg protocol under the UNECE convention on long-range transboundary air pollution. The directive also allows for stricter national emission limits in areas where this can improve local air quality in a cost-effective way. To ensure continuous improvement, member states must report emissions data to the European commission in 2021, 2026, and 2031, with the commission assessing areas such as energy efficiency and carbon monoxide emissions as part of ongoing reviews.


The role of burner technology in MCPD compliance For many combustion plant operators, the biggest


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challenge in meeting MCPD requirements lies in controlling NO2 emissions. While strategies exist to reduce NO2, some traditional approaches can inadvertently decrease efficiency and increase carbon emissions - an outcome that runs counter to broader environmental and sustainability goals. Ultra-low NO2 emissions refer to burner, boiler


combinations that surpass standard low NO2 emissions requirements, achieving even lower levels of NO2 emissions. Ultra-low NO2 burners employ advanced


combustion technologies, such as internal and/or external flue gas recirculation, staged combustion or selective catalytic reduction (SCR), to achieve reduced NO2 emissions. The Riello RS ULX can achieve NO2, emissions <40mg/kWh without the need of any external flue gas recirculation (ExFGR, which saves on additional installation and maintenance requirements, along with cost. If the RS ULX is applied with ExFGR NO2 emissions can be further reduced. This is where investing in modern burner technology becomes essential. Riello burners offer advanced solutions designed to help businesses comply with MCPD requirements while optimising plant performance. Our latest burner technologies employ innovative techniques such as: • Flue gas recirculation (fgr) – recirculating a portion of exhaust gases to lower combustion temperatures and reduce NO2 formation. • Advanced premix and staged combustion – controlling flame temperature and oxygen levels to achieve cleaner combustion. • Electronic modulation and digital control systems – providing real-time monitoring and adjustment to maximise efficiency while minimising emissions.


Simplifying compliance with smart investment


While MCPD compliance is mandatory, it also presents an opportunity for businesses to future- proof their facilities. Riello’s burner solutions are designed to ease the transition by: • Ensuring full MCPD compliance across all capacity ranges. • Reducing emissions without compromising efficiency. • Providing modular, retrofit-friendly options for seamless integration into existing systems.


Act now to avoid compliance pitfalls


The first of the MCPD deadlines has passed, and businesses operating combustion plants above 5,000 kW must have already taken action to comply, but those below that threshold have to think – and act – soon to ensure compliance. At Riello burners, we are committed to helping businesses navigate these regulatory changes with proven, high- performance combustion solutions. Contact us today to discuss how we can simplify


your path to MCPD compliance and enhance your plant’s long-term efficiency.


22 July 2025


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