UK: The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has announced the successful completion of a trial of cement production using a net-zero fuel mix consisting of hydrogen and refuse-derived fuel (RDF) at Hanson’s Ribblesdale, Lancashire, cement plant. The RDF in the mix consists of meat and bone meal (MBM) from the food industry and glycerol from biodiesel production.

Increased alternative fuel (AF) substitution is one of seven key levers in the MPA’s Roadmap Beyond Net Zero emissions reduction strategy. The association says that the fuel will eliminate 180,000t/yr of CO₂ emissions from the Ribblesdale plant’s operations when fully implemented. The project received Euro3.71m in government funding.

Hanson’s environmental sustainability manager Iain Walpole said “We are delighted to be involved with this world-leading project, which is a further example of our commitment to cutting CO₂ emissions.” He added “It will also contribute to our ambition of supplying net zero carbon concrete by 2050.”

Greece: Titan Cement has partnered with TERNA Energy to establish two mechanical and biological waste treatment plants for municipal solid waste (MSW) processing in Attica and Central Macedonia regions. Titan Cement’s aim is to secure a supply of high-quality alternative fuel (AF) for its regional cement operations. The partners have begun the public tender process for the projects.

Poland: Lafarge Poland has laid the foundation stone for the Euro100m new kiln line at its Małogoszcz cement plant. The replacement of the three existing kilns and installation of an alternative fuel (AF) line aims to reduce the plant’s CO₂ emissions by 20% and its energy consumption by 33%. The company, a subsidiary of Switzerland-based Holcim, aims to make the cement plant into one of the EU’s most modern. China National Building Material (CNBM) subsidiary Nanjing Kisen International Engineering will carry out the work, which is scheduled for completion in early 2023.

Project director Krzysztof Byczyński said “One of the three kilns has already been demolished and in its place a new kiln will be built with the necessary installations. Preparatory works for the construction of a new kiln are currently underway.”

Italy: The Italian cement association Federbeton has launched its comprehensive plan for cement industry decarbonisation in line with the EU’s European Green Deal target of a 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions between 1990 and 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050. The strategyidentifies increased alternative fuel (AF) substitutionas an immediately achievable strategy to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint by 12%. It contrasted the change with others such as carbon capture and storage (CCS) whichrequire further development. The sector’s primary fuel is petcoke, mainly imported from the Gulf of Mexico.

In total, the association’s strategy entails Euro4.2bn of new investments andEuro1.4m/yr of extra operating costs across the industry.