
Displaying items by tag: Import
Philippines: Holcim Philippines says it is importing alternative fuels or processed engineered fuels (PEF) as it cannot source them locally. It said it was ready to ‘cooperate and provide more information and clarity’ on PEFs in response to plans by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ban imports of waste. It added that a statement by the Environment Management Bureau had confirmed that PEFs conform to the DENR Administrative Order 2010-06: Guidelines on the Use of Alternative Fuels and Raw Materials in Cement Kilns.
The company said it started using PEF in 2018 and that it accounts for 5% of its alternative fuels consumption. It has been importing PEF to ports at Davao and Tagoloan. It conceded that if the DNER enacts its plans to ban waste imports it would follow government regulations.
The cement producer is responding to a trend against waste imports into South-East Asia. In May 2019 the Philippines recalled to ambassador to Canada in a row over mislabelled recyclable imports. Malaysia has also ordered plastic waste to be sent back to its originating countries.
Philippines: The Central Office of the Environment Management Bureau (EMB) has supported the import of alternative fuels by Holcim Philippines. The office sent a letter to John Simon the Port Collector of the Bureau of Customs, stating that it had no objection to the importation and use of processed engineered fuel (PEF) at the Mindanao Container Terminal (MCT) in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, according to the Philippines News Agency. Simon had sought clarity from the EMB over the consignment. The PEF is intended for use at Holcim Philippines’ cement pants at Davao and Lugait.
Morocco stops importing waste from Italy
18 July 2016Morocco: The Moroccan government has stopped importing waste from Italy following protests by environmentalists. The row followed reports in local media that Lafarge Maroc imported 2500t of solid recovered fuel from Campania, Italy.
The government first tried to calm tensions over the issue by pointing out that the waste is being used as a fuel, follows international standards and is not the first shipment of its kind. However, it then buckled to public pressure and stopped imports of waste pending an investigation. Morocco previously agreed a three-year deal with Italy to import 5Mt of waste to its El Jadida region, according to AfricaNews.
Vietnam: Ha Tien 1 Cement Company is negotiating with Indonesian partners to import coal from Indonesia, according to the Saigon Securities Incorporated (SSI). Under the current laws, businesses must seek permission for the import of energy products.
Coal accounts for 40% of clinker and 32% of cement production costs. Ha Tien 1 is considering importing coal because the market price has fallen sharply with the drop in crude oil prices. Ha Tien 1 currently buys coal from Vinacomin at US$100/t. The coal price in Indonesia is US$52/t free on board (FOB).
If Ha Tien 1's proposal to import coal gets approval from the government, the cement manufacturer would cut production costs and be able to reduce sale prices and boost its sales. If Ha Tien 1 could import 25% of the total coal it needs for production, it would be able to reduce its production cost by 8%.