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.”

Spain: Members of the Andalusian Cement Producers’ Association (AFCA) have renewed their commitment to sustainable development with the signing of the VI Agreement for Energy Recovery. All six cement producers, including LafargeHolcim, HeidelbergCement and Cemex, which operate in Andalusia submitted to the agreement, which entails a commitment to using refuse-derived fuels (RDF) at a higher rate than the minimum established by Spanish law.

India: Dalmia Cement has revealed its commitment to the adoption of bamboo matter and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for 100% of its fuel needs by 2030 as part of its new ‘Future Today’ branding. The company’s plan also consists of a transition to renewable power by 2040 and a 0.5Mt/yr carbon capture and storage facility at its 4.0Mt/yr integrated Ariyalur cement plant in Tamil Nadu in 2022 at the latest. Mahendra Singh, managing director and CEO of Dalmia Cement, has expressed the hope that its product should become ‘the World’s greenest cement.’

Ireland: The Irish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has granted a licence to CRH subsidiary Irish Cement for the incineration of refuse-derived fuel (RDF), including tyres, plastics and animal tissues at its 1.0Mt/yr integrated cement plant in Mungret, County Limerick. The Limerick Leader has reported that it will be the second of Irish Cement’s two plants to transition from fossil fuels, after its Platin plant in Meath. The company has said that the intended upgrade is vital to the plant’s future and will create security for its 80 employees, in addition to generating 60 jobs throughout the course of its installation. 4500 people supported Limerick Against Pollution (LAP) in lobbying the EPA against granting its permission following the decision of the Irish planning appeals board An Bord Pleanála in favour of the installation. LAP has 28 days in which to appeal the EPA’s ruling. A protest march will take place in the city of Limerick in October 2019.

The company’s 2009 incineration licence for its Limerick plant expired due to inactivity. It announced its renewed intention for RDF usage at the plant in December 2015.