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| Staffordshire Cement Works targets zero fossil fuel use As industry wrestles with how to make use of waste oils in the face of new environmental legislation, Lafarge Cement UK’s Cauldon Works is offering a solution. It is working to phase out the use of traditional virgin fossil fuels by using it as another sustainable waste-derived fuel. The Staffordshire Moorlands factory already gets over 50 per cent of the energy used to heat its raw materials from more sustainable sources. Now it has applied to the Environment Agency for permission to run the first UK cement works trial using Recovered Fuel Oil (or RFO) as part of its fuel mix. RFO is made up of waste oils from places including high street garages, motor manufacturers and boat yards. The UK generates more than 400, 000 tonnes of waste oils a year – equivalent to seven litres for every man, woman and child in the country. Traditionally these oils have been used in the power generation and asphalt industries. But, from the end of this year, this is set to change when new exacting emissions limits come into law through the introduction of the Waste Incineration Directive (WID). Lafarge has projects underway as part of an ongoing programme of investment at the plant to ensure compliance with the new limits. Further investment will be made in equipment to store and handle RFO. Provided the plant is given the go ahead from the Environment Agency and a trial is completed successfully, it will be able to use RFO as a fuel on a permanent basis. The successful introduction of Recovered Fuel Oil could result in us potentially running without traditional virgin fossil fuels – a fantastic environmental step. As the application for the trial is submitted to the Environment Agency, and in keeping with its open policy, Lafarge is launching a communications programme to ensure local people are fully informed. A newsletter is being sent to over 2000 households in the villages around the plant; copies of a non-technical summary of the application will be available and Lafarge personnel are ready to answer any questions on the application or queries from the public. write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Construction News :: home page |