Global CemFuels News

Canada: The Environment Department is reviewing an application from Lafarge Canada to burn tyres at its Brookfield cement plant in Nova Scotia. The government department has 60 days to approve or deny the application for a one-year pilot project, according to the Canadian Press news agency. However, the pilot project has faced opposition from local residents, environmental groups and the Province’s New Democratic Party.

India: The city corporation of Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala has finalised its proposal to supply solid recovered fuel (SRF) to the local cement industry. Two companies in Tamil Nadu have expressed interest in the project, according to the Times of India.

UK: Andusia Recovered Fuels says it is moving into the solid recovered fuel (SRF) market following its experience of the refuse derived fuel (RDF) business over the last five years. In this time the waste management company has exported over 0.9Mt of RDF.

“Despite recent claims that the RDF market is beginning to plateau, here at Andusia we are yet to notice that,” said General Manager, Mark Terrell. “The RDF export market will always be a key area for us, however we are now turning our attentions to not only the emerging UK Energy from Waste market but also to SRF exports across Europe.”

Ireland: An Bord Pleanala has decided to hold an oral hearing into Irish Cement’s plan to burn up to 0.6Mt/yr of mixed waste as an alternative fuel at its plant in Platin, County Meath. The hearing will take place on 21 November 2017 and local campaigners are hoping that a large number of local residents will turn out to listen to the submissions.

The North East Association of Environmental Groups say that the plans are 'flawed' and need to be critically examined in great detail before any planning permission or license is granted.

In a statement, Irish Cement that it was looking forward to setting out details of the application during the oral hearing. “This project seeks to replace existing fossil fuel use by increasing the quantity and range of alternative fuels used in the cement kilns in Platin,” it said. “This will reduce Platin's dependence on imported fossil fuels, reduce CO2 emissions by up to 0.3Mt/yr and will help recover valuable resources that might otherwise end up in landfill. It will allow Platin to continue to operate competitively and will support existing direct and indirect employment in the cement works.”

UK: Geocycle, the industrial and municipal waste management subsidiary of LafargeHolcim, has launched its UK operations. The company supports co-processing alternative fuels at cement plants.

“Organisations in the UK are increasingly adopting sustainable business practices, and co-processing provides a practical, cost-effective and environmentally-preferred option to landfills. We’re extremely excited to have launched Geocycle in the UK. With operations in Cauldon, Staffordshire and Cookstown, Northern Ireland in the UK and an extensive global network, we look forward to extending our offer to environmentally-responsible companies,” said Michael Awanayah, General Manager of Geocycle UK.