China: BBMG has sold its 49% stake in Beijing BBMG Mangrove to Jidong Cement for US$242m. Beijing BBMG Mangrove is principally engaged in the collection, storage and processing of poisonous and hazardous wastes.
Italian cement producers lobby regulators to support RDF adoption
Italy: Federbeton, the Italian cement and concrete producers’ association, has complained of ‘bureaucratic and regulatory’ obstacles causing Italy to lag behind other European countries in its use of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in cement production. Statistics from the Italian Technical and Economic Cement Association (AITEC) show a net AFD substitution of 0.39Mt in 2018, corresponding to 20% of cement fuels burned in Italy. This represents a year-on-year increase of 2.4% from 0.38Mt (17%) in 2017, but lags behind the European annual average of 46%. Peak substitution was in neighbouring Austria, where 79% of cement fuel was refuse-derived. “Our investments in environmental technologies are bearing fruit,” said Antonio Buzzi, coordinator of Federbeton’s Environment and Circular Economy Committee. “We are ready to use larger quantities of alternative raw materials, but continue to pay for these obstacles.”
ANSA has reported that in 2018, Italian cement producers achieved a year-on-year decrease in net CO2 emissions of 8.9%. Dust levels also decreased by 15.4% compared to 2017.
Dalmia Cement and Topcem enrol in Meghalaya’s ‘Plastic Challenge’
India: Dalmia Cement and Topcem have signed a deal with the state government of Meghalaya to buy plastic litter from clean-up operations at a cost of US$422/t. The companies, whose combined integrated cement capacity in the state is 2.5Mt/yr, will burn the refuse-derived fuel (RDF) as a partial substitute for coal at three plants. News18 has reported that the deal is part of a concerted campaign by government, NGOs and the general population to bring about a cleaner and plastic-free Meghalaya in time for the National Games, which the state will host in 2022.
CWM Environmental awards refuse-derived fuel contract to Geminor in Wales
UK: CWM Environmental has awarded a five-year contract to Geminor to distribute refuse-derived fuel (RDF) sourced from CWM’s Nantycaws material recycling facility in Wales to its European export market. The agreement, which followed a competitive tender process, has the option for extension of up to five years, in one-year increments. No value for the deal has been disclosed.
“Carmarthenshire’s waste will become a highly beneficial source of green energy,” said James Maiden, UK Country Manager at Geminor. “What’s more, through the use of empty load logistics, the entire project will result in minimal CO2 emissions – a highly sustainable and economical solution.”