Spain: Germany’s HeidelbergCement’s subsidiary FYM is now burning over 50% refuse-derived fuel (RDF) mixes in the kilns at its 1.6Mt/yr integrated Málaga plant in Andalucía. Sur has reported that the RDF consists of car parts, including tyres, and pomace from olive oil production.
Geocycle signs urban solid waste management agreement with Macuspana City Council
Mexico: Switzerland-based LafargeHolcim’s US subsidiary Geocycle has signed an agreement with the City Council of Macuspana in Tabasco for the removal of 21,600t/yr of inorganic waste for sale to cement producers as alternative fuel (AF) for calciners. The company has inaugurated a US$1.3m waste processing plant for the purposes of meeting its commitment. Geocycle Mexico general director Sven Ritschard said, “This typifies the circular economy and is positive for all parties involved.” The waste would otherwise have gone to landfill.
Vijayawada to supply refuse-derived fuel to UltraTech’s Balaji cement plant
India: The Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) in Andhra Pradesh has started transporting refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from its recycling unit at Ajit Singh Nagar to UltraTech’s Balaji cement plant. Under the agreement between the city and the cement producer the plant takes 50t/day of RDF according to the New Indian Express newspaper. The city authorities sort dry waste into RDF and the cement company handles the transportation.
Ohorongo Cement helps charcoal supplier buy truck
Namibia: Ohorongo Cement has supported Carbo Namibia, one of its charcoal suppliers, in buying a new 80m3 side tipper truck worth around US$47,000. The move is intended to increase the volumes of charcoal fines the supplier can deliver. The cement producer uses charcoal fines as an alternative fuel at its plant.
It started procuring charcoal fines from Carbo Namibia in 2016 through the Ohorongo Energy for Future (EFF) project. It started with an initial supply of 786t/yr and has since grown to 5000t/yr in 2018, with a total of 11,000t to date. Its overall alternative fuels substitution rate is 42.7% and it has a target of 56% by 2020 and a long-term goal of reaching 80%. At present Ohorongo Cement says that its substitution rate breaks down into 58% woodchips, 28% refuse-derived fuel (RDF) and 14% charcoal.