Oman: Four French investors and technology suppliers, including Fives and Suez, have created a syndicate to develop business opportunities in the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm. The other partners are CMA CGM and EDF Renewables. The companies intend to assess various investment options in the area and develop them. In particular, the syndicate has an interest in a ‘global approach to cement factory ecosystems’ and related facilities including transport facilities, a solar power generation plant and the production of alternative fuels.
Vicat showcases Vicat Circulère
France: Vicat has showcased Vicat Circulère, its construction waste management plant, at the Pollutec environmental exhibition in Lyon. The building materials producer has set itself the goal of no longer using fossil fuels at its cement plants by 2023. At present it has an alternative fuels substitution rate of over 50% at its cement plants in France.
Geocycle France focuses on regional presence
France: Geocycle France says it has strengthened its local presence by setting up a network of six units at LafargeHolcim sites in 2018. These are: La Malle, Le Teil, Martres, Saint -Pierre-La-Cour, Altkirch and Val d'Azergues. The Geocycle units are intended to support co-processing activity at cement plants. In 2017 the French waste management subsidiary of LafargeHolcim recycled 0.65Mt/yr of waste materials.
Lehigh Cement’s Glens Falls plant preparing to use alternative fuels
US: Lehigh Cement’s is preparing to co-process ‘raggertail’ at its Glens Falls plant in New York state. The state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has prepared a draft air pollution permit for the unit. It is accepting public comments until late December 2018.
Raggertail is derived from non-recyclable ‘raggertail’ residuals processed by Frontier Fiber from Norampac and Greenpac recycled paper mills in Niagara Falls. It consists of approximately 60% plastic and 40% fibre (biomass). Emissions testing performed at the plant while burning the alternative fuel on a trial basis demonstrated that its use will not cause ambient impacts above State guideline concentrations. At present the cement plant’s kiln is powered by natural gas and coal.