Cemex increases use of waste fuel in cement production

Cemex has replaced 74% of the fuel used to heat its cement kiln at a North Lincolnshire plant with fuels made from wastes.

The alternative fuels used at South Ferriby Cement Plant are Secondary Liquid Fuels (SLF) made from industrial liquid wastes that cannot be recycled, such as paint, thinners, inks and varnishes, and Climafuel which is made from household residual and commercial waste that would otherwise go to landfill.

The 74% achieved by South Ferriby is a record for the plant. According to the British Cement Association’s BCA Performance Report, the 2007 level of replacement of fossil fuels among member companies reached 19.4%.

Emissions at the plant, such as oxides of nitrogen and sulphur, have declined by 20% and 43% respectively since alternative fuels were introduced in 2002.

The Climafuel used is sourced from local suppliers. In the past three months, more than 9,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise be landfilled have been used to make cement in South Ferriby. Based on the biomass content in alternative fuels, the plant has so far this year saved the equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions that 3,300 cars produce in a year.

Plant director, Philip Baynes-Clarke, said: “The use of alternative fuels at South Ferriby is one of our key focuses, and is improving the sustainability of our operation. This record is an important milestone for the plant and recognises the efforts of the team to continually seek to increase performance levels.”

South Ferriby plant currently has a permit to use up to 40% SLF and up to 60% Climafuel on a trial basis.