India: Dalmia Cement has sought to acquire 2Mha of land from the government for use in bamboo production. The company plans to use the bamboo to produce bio-based alternative fuel (AF) for its cement production. BusinessLine News has reported that the company plans to obtain brownfield sites in order to restore them to grow the crop on.
Holcim Philippines inaugurates new alternative fuels storage and processing plant at Bulacan cement plant
Philippines: Holcim Philippines and its waste management subsidiary Geocycle have together inaugurated a waste processing plant and alternative fuels (AF) storage facility at the former’s Bulacan cement plant. The facilities consist of municipal solid waste (MSW) shredding equipment and a 5400m2 warehouse. The installation is part of a US$2.41m investment by Holcim Philippines in the Bulacan plant, aimed at reducing its CO2 footprint and increasing the circularity of its operations. The plant will produce its AF from MSW from the Boac municipality.
President and CEO Horia Adrian said “This initiative is part of our bigger commitment to make our operations more sustainable. These facilities will further reduce our carbon footprint and energy costs, while providing our partners with a safe and environmentally sound waste management option though our co-processing technology. We are excited to continue these projects to help us get closer to our long-term ambition of using 70% AF in cement production, instead of coal."
Norcem to spend up to Euro8m on alternative fuels upgrades at Kjøpsvik plant
Norway: Norcem plans to invest up to Euro8m on upgrades at its integrated Kjøpsvik cement plant to improve its receiving, handling and feeding of alternative fuels. The project will be implemented by 2023. The work will include installing new storage and dosing systems for waste oil, FAB pellets and bone meal.
Punjab Renewable Energy Systems to support JK Cement’s alternative fuel transition
India: JK Cement has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Punjab Renewable Energy Systems (PRESPL). Under the agreement, PRESPL will supply its technologies and forward-integrated value chain for use by JK Cement in scaling up alternative fuel (AF) substitution at its cement plants. The transition will focus on biomass-based fuel use.
Managing director Raghavpat Singhania said "As we embark on our journey towards decarbonisation, we commit to this MoU that allows us and PRESPL to build deeper synergies in the bio-energy sector.” He added that the agreement promised ‘a better future with a win-win for the environment, people and energy in India.’