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.”

Germany: Vecoplan has joined RETech Partnership, a waste management industry network. The network supports the export of waste management products, as well as knowledge transfer. Its members commonly undertake joint initiatives.

Waste and alternative fuels head of sales Tim Hamer said, “As a member we’ll always be up to date on matters like country data, current invitations to tender and funding and financing options. The network will enable us to establish important contacts, and it will provide support in organising events and conferences at the national and international levels.”

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.”

Russia: Eurocement and the Toshka Centre group of companies have signed an agreement on cooperation in the use of alternative fuels (AF) at Eurocement’s cement plants. The partners signed the agreement within the framework of the Russian Environmental Operator’s nationwide Ecology project. The main area of cooperation between the parties will be the implementation of AF substitution at the cement producer’s gas-burning kiln lines. The Toshka Centre will create an AF production network to supply the producer’s operations.

Innovation and technical development vice president Sergey Demakov said, “The use of AF will allow Eurocement group to reduce natural gas consumption and show savings in fuel purchase costs at the initial stage of the project alone by 10%.”