Alternative fuels to power cement’s future
12 October 2018
Boral: Burning
waste is not the first
thing that comes to mind when making strides towards reducing a carbon
footprint and
emissions, but in the case of Boral’s
cement production
plant that is exactly the case.
Nestled in the Southern Highlands of
NSW at Berrima, Boral’s coal-fired cement kiln has started replacing
a proportion of its coal requirement with alternative fuels processed
from waste materials that would otherwise go to
landfill. Two fuel
streams are being used at Berrima - a wood waste-based fuel (WWDF)
derived from demolition timber, pallets and other waste wood sources and
a residue derived fuel (RDF) processed from wood waste, and commercial
waste such as papers, cardboard, packaging, and some plastics.
In a sustainable step forward, Boral paired with the NSW
Environment Trust to build 2600-square-metre stockpile facility that
has become the first project in the Trust’s innovative Waste Less,
Recycle More initiative.
Using the alternative fuels will initially reduce coal consumption by 13
per cent and Boral expects to increase the load in coming years. At its
peak, the Berrima kiln will be able to run up to 100,000 tonnes of
alternative fuels a year, replacing around 50,000 tonnes of coal.
With the kiln presently requiring 200,000 tonnes of coal a year and
emitting about 1.2 million tonnes of carbon emissions, the move will
lessen the reliance on fossil fuels, substantially assist in reducing
energy costs and therefore cost of production, increasing long-term
viability of the site and contribution and employment of the local
Berrima community.
Also, in becoming the end-user of waste products Boral is helping the
reduce landfill issues in NSW.
The project is closely aligned with Boral’s business strategy that
fosters sustainable environmental impacts, a commitment to Zero Harm, a
focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from our operations, the
efficient use of energy, minimising and recycling waste materials and
energy, prevention of pollution, and effective use of virgin and
recovered resources and supplemental materials.
Berrima’s alternative fuels facility became operational in July 2018.
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Source: Boral - www.boral.com.au
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