CEMEX announces plans to trial an additional alternative fuel at Rugby works
Global building solutions company, CEMEX, today announced its plan to apply to the cement industry regulator the Environment Agency (EA) for permission to trial a further alternative fuel, Climafuel, as part replacement for coal and petcoke to fuel its cement kiln at Rugby works in Warwickshire.
Climafuel, which looks a bit like shredded paper or fluff, would typically consist of household waste, screened paper, cardboard, wood, carpet, textiles and plastics that have been subjected to a rapid drying and composting process to remove biodegradable matter and produce a solid, clean and non-hazardous fuel. All recoverable materials are removed for recycling purposes.
A copy of a preliminary application will be available on the CEMEX website, see www.cemex.co.uk from 6 June and CEMEX is inviting all interested parties to consider the application and provide comment by 31 August.
Following the three-month consultation period, a final application will be presented to the EA in September, requesting permission to use Climafuel in a trial.
Rugby plant operates well within emission limits, but experience at other works in the UK and worldwide show that using alternative fuels, such as Climafuel, can reduce certain emissions from the chimney further. Increasing the use of alternative fuels is therefore key to improving environmental performance and controlling energy costs, and ensuring that Rugby works remains competitive.
In addition to the direct environmental benefits of reduced emissions, using alternative fuels have indirect benefits, such as recovering energy from what would otherwise be considered a waste material. Each year over 215,000 tonnes of waste is sent to landfill in Warwickshire. Using Climafuel at Rugby Works could help to reduce landfilling and preserve fossil fuels for future generations.
More information about the Climafuel application will be available in a public exhibition at Rugby Library in Little Elborow Street from 6 to 10 June. The display will be available during normal opening hours and be manned by CEMEX staff at the following times: Dates: Library hours: CEMEX manned: Tuesday 6 June 09.00 - 20.00 09.00 - 12.00 Wednesday 7 June 09.00 - 17.00 13.00 - 16.00 Thursday 8 June 09.00 - 20.00 17.00 - 20.00 Friday 9 June 09.00 - 17.00 14.00 - 17.00 Saturday 10 June 09.30 - 16.00 09.30 - 13.00
Climafuel could be the second alternative fuel to be trialled at Rugby works. A trial using up to 12% chipped tyres was completed at Rugby works last December. Indications are that certain emissions were reduced during the trial, but a detailed report of the results will be published in due course.
Subject to public consultation, CEMEX intends to request permission to use tyres permanently. Provided permissions are granted, Climafuel could then be used alongside tyres, replacing up to one third of the fossil fuels required to fuel the cement kiln in Rugby.
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Notes to editors: Climafuel substitution: CEMEX is looking to apply for a trial where Climafuel would constitute an energy replacement of 30%. Rugby Works: CEMEX's Rugby Works is one of the most modern plants in the world and represents a total investment of £200 million. It has the largest kiln in the UK and has a production capacity of 1.8 million tonnes of cement per annum. CEMEX supports 730 local jobs in Rugby (183 at the works), contributes £25.5 million per annum to the local economy and provides a product that is essential locally and nationally, for housing, hospitals, schools and roads. Every year Rugby produces enough cement for the construction of more than 72,000 houses (assuming that an average house contains approximately 18 tonnes of cement).
For more information, please see www.cemex.co.uk.
For further information contact:
Marit Meyer-Bell
marit.meyer-bell@cemex.com
Telephone: 01932 583208 M. 07867 653392