Australia: Waste processer Focus Enviro receiving bookings for attendance at a demonstration of its new Untha XR Mobil-e shredder at its plant in Melbourne, Australia, on 20 February 2020. The new shredder will shred residual waste, wood waste and tyres, as might be expected in a cement industry AF application, with Focus Enviro and Untha employees on hand to answer questions. Untha director Gary Moore said, “With high throughputs, low whole life running costs and unrivalled energy efficiency, the XR has revolutionised the industry’s approach to waste shredding for production of RDF.” Bookings can be made by email.

Argentina: Geocycle Argentina has appointed Mariano Bollo as its national manager. He is a chemical engineer and holds an MBA from the Catholic University of Salta, according to the El Diario de Carlos Paz newspaper. He began his career at Holcim Argentina in 2006, holding roles at its plants in Jujuy, Mendoza, Córdoba and Buenos Aires.

India: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has lobbied the government in its Pre-Budget Memorandum 2020-21 over customs duties. The body is suggesting a reduction on the customs duty on tyre chips for use as alternative fuel (AF) to 5% from 10%. There is currently no import tax on cement and duties of 5% and below on various clinker constituents.

Netherlands: Waste management service N+P has said that it will aim to supply 1.2Mt of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) to UK recipients expected to include cement producers. It will release full details of the contracts in question in early 2020. N+P said that due to import tax it would seek to supply its Netherlands contracts with waste from sources other than the UK.