Global CemFuels News

UAE: Dulsco has commissioned a 70,000t/yr refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plant at the Expo 2020 Dubai site in Dubai. RDF from the plant will be used by local cement producers and other industries. The project follows the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy 2021 - 2031. Dulsco’s business interests cover waste management, outsourcing, recruitment and workshop and fabrication services.

Kuwait: Kuwait City Cement has received government approval for its plan to establish a municipal solid waste (MSW) plant. The Al Qabas newspaper has reported that, when commissioned, the plant will supply refuse-derived fuel to the country’s cement industry.

Kuwait cement previously applied for a licence to burn municipal waste fractions at its Shuaiba, Ahmadi, cement plant in 2019.

Panama: Cemex has secured a supply of 30t/yr of industrial waste for use at its Panamanian cement plant from US-based industrial conglomerate 3M. The waste will consist of high-calorific residual foam and wool.

Cemex South, Central America and the Caribbean regional president Jesús González said “We are very pleased to make this alliance that strengthens our company’s path towards our carbon neutrality goal by 2050. Cemex and the building materials industry can play an important role in the creation of a truly circular economy. As evidenced by this agreement, we welcome this challenge and are moving aggressively to create the better circular world of the future.”

Mexico: Cemex reported 29% alternative fuel (AF) substitution in its global operations in 2021, according to its Integrated Report for the year. The report stated that the group reduced its CO₂ emissions per tonne of cementitious material by 4.7% year-on-year.

Argentina: Geocycle plans to double the refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production capacity of its Piedra Blanca waste management plant in Córdoba in order to process up to 100,000t/yr of waste into RDF. The Holcim subsidiary will invest US$5m in the expansion. The plant received 78,600t of industrial waste, 57,000t of urban waste and 4400t of waste tyres in 2021 and produced RDF for co-processing in Holcim Argentina’s Jujuy, Malagueño and Mendoza cement plants’ cement production. The work includes the construction of a new 200m access road using EcoPact reduced-CO₂ concrete. The entire project is scheduled for completion in 2022.

General manager Mariano Bollo said "We started in 2020 with a small plant. In 2021 we expanded it, and in 2022 we are doubling its capacity. In the coming months and years, we will grow even more.” Bollow expressed his hope to process 100% of all waste received at the site into RDF.