Displaying items by tag: UK

UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has announced the successful completion of a trial of cement production using a net-zero fuel mix consisting of hydrogen and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) at Hanson’s Ribblesdale, Lancashire, cement plant. The RDF in the mix consists of meat and bone meal (MBM) from the food industry and glycerol from biodiesel production.

Increased alternative fuel (AF) substitution is one of seven key levers in the MPA’s Roadmap Beyond Net Zero emissions reduction strategy. The association says that the fuel will eliminate 180,000t/yr of CO₂ emissions from the Ribblesdale plant’s operations when fully implemented. The project received Euro3.71m in government funding.

Hanson’s environmental sustainability manager Iain Walpole said “We are delighted to be involved with this world-leading project, which is a further example of our commitment to cutting CO₂ emissions.” He added “It will also contribute to our ambition of supplying net zero carbon concrete by 2050.”

UK: Andusia has exported 1.6Mt of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and solid-recovered fuel (SRF) since its foundation in early 2012. The company said that the waste has not only been diverted from UK landfill but has generated power for people in northern mainland Europe. Exports rose following the lift of Covid-19 trade restrictions. Andusia added that it has since then secured several new contracts.

Spain: UK-based Andusia has successfully completed its first delivery of solid recovered fuel (SRF) from its Beaupark Associated Waste Management SRF plant in Leeds, West Yorkshire to a cement plant in Spain. The supplier says that the delivery marks the start of the supply of 5000t/yr to the plant. The fuel will replace a portion of the coal and petcoke in the plant’s kiln line.

UK: Andusia says that a Covid-19 decline in waste produced by the UK is at an end, and has predicted the start of growth in the near term future. The waste management company said that major factors for growth will be the continuation of office work, the end of hospitality restrictions and the recovery of public confidence in consumption.

In 2020, commercial and industrial waste generation fell by 50% year-on-year, while municipal waste rose by 20%. Exports of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) fell by 37% during the year.

UK: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim subsidiary Aggregate Industries has launched a Euro15.1m project to increase its use of alternative fuels at its Cauldon cement plant in Staffordshire. The company plans to install a 100,000t/yr pre-processing unit and a new chlorine bypass at the site. The new pre-processing unit, including a haulage and feeding platform, will be built across the road from the main plant and connected via an enclosed conveyor. The company intends to complete the work in early 2022. It says that it will result in a 30,000t/yr CO₂ emission reduction.

Chief executive officer Dragan Maksimovic said, “It is great to see us continuing to recognise the importance of sustainability and investing in Cauldon cement plant to ensure that we further reduce carbon emissions and remain sustainable for the long term, both as a local employer and contributor to the local economy, as well as a UK-wide supplier of high quality products and services.”

UK: Bunting has officially opened its Redditch magnetic separators plant following a production and storage capacity expansion. The upgrade increases floor space by 50%. It also adds a new office floor and a Customer Experience Centre, where mining, processing and recycling companies can send samples to a laboratory for controlled tests.

Europe regional managing director Simon Ayling said, “Despite delays and challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we now have a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which is already providing the additional space needed to fulfil the growth in orders.”

UK: Waste Knot Energy has produced a batch of solid improved recovered fuel (SIRF) pellets. The pellets consist of non-recyclable commercial and industrial waste including wood, paper and non-chlorinated plastics. The producer says that its SIRF mix burns more cleanly than fossil fuels. It said that its combustion CO₂ emissions are 100kg/t of pellets. Energy and transportation costs are 108kg/t.

Managing director Roger Ferguson said, “We believe that SIRF pellets are an exciting innovation as the UK looks to be carbon net zero by 2050.”He added, “Even when taking into account emissions required to manufacture our pellets, there’s a big carbon saving. It even has a lower carbon footprint when compared to wood pellets, which are traditionally shipped from the US or Canada.”

UK: Cemex has announced a Euro21m investment in an upgrade to its Rugby cement plant. The planned upgrade incorporates green hydrogen into the plant’s cement production process. The company says that the upgrade will enable it to shift to 100% alternative fuel (AF) substitution from fossil fuel use. It said the move is a step towards carbon neutrality in line with its Future in Action programme. The upgrade is expected to be fully operational in June 2021.

Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia regional president Sergio Menendez said, “We believe that this very significant investment in this upgraded facility supports Cemex’s position to minimise the use of fossil fuels for both environmental and economic reasons. It will enable the Rugby plant to consistently operate with up to 100% AF, which will contribute to our climate action targets.”

UK: CRH subsidiary Tarmac has awarded a contract for the supply of solid recovered fuel (SRF) pellets for its Tunstead cement plant to Eco-Power Environmental. The supplier says that the fuel will come from its 125,000t/yr Humberside SRF pellet plant in Melton, East Riding of Yorkshire. It has spent Euro17m in recent upgrades to the plant. Its pellets offer up to 50% biomass content, calorific value in excess of 20MJ/kg, less than 0.5% chlorine, low ash content and the ability to be co-dosed with fossil fuels using existing equipment.

Tarmac Tunstead plant manager Chris Bradbury said “Reducing CO₂ at Tunstead is one of the team's top priorities and working closely with our colleagues in Sapphire we have made good progress with sustainable waste-derived fuels throughout 2020 and hope to go further in 2021.” He continued, “We got the opportunity of trialling the SRF pellets early in the year as a replacement for woodchips. The trial went well with only a few modifications required for the inside of the storage silo and feed out system. Once the moderations were completed, we extended the trial, which had great results. In June 2020 we then went on to continuous usage and from the start the pellets have proved to be a very stable fuel. These have been one of the main contributors to the continuous high waste-derived fuel substitution rate for fossil fuels from June to the end of the year.”

UK: The RDF Industry Group has re-elected Netherlands-based Attero marketing manager Robert Corijn as its chair for 2021. The term will be Corijn’s fourth in the position. Totus Environmental managing director Andy Jones takes on the role of vice chair for a second consecutive year.

Corijn said “Since first taking up the role of chair of the RDF Industry Group in 2018 there have been significant challenges that have affected the RDF industry, and 2020 was no different, having seen the roll-out of the Dutch import tax and the Covid-19 pandemic. We are also seeing some countries developing carbon taxes on waste treatment or other import restrictions. The RDF Industry Group is a strong believer in European cooperation – when we all work together, Europe can move much more waste up the waste hierarchy. Moving waste from landfill to recycling and to energy-from-waste provides a huge contribution to carbon savings. Carbon emissions do not know national borders, so our group will ask policy makers across Europe to consider a global perspective. The group has also played a vital role in information sharing and supporting our members, and I look forward to continuing to work together in 2021 as we see the waste-derived fuel industry develop, and as any new relationship between the UK and the European Union (EU) begins.”