New partnership to boost alternative fuel production

CEMEX UK work with SITA UK to develop waste-recycling plants for the production of Climafuel

CEMEX UK are joining forces with SITA UK, one of the UK’s leading recycling and resource-management companies, to develop two waste-recycling plants for the production of Climafuel for CEMEX’s Rugby cement plant in Warwickshire.

Climafuel, an alternative fuel produced from domestic, commercial and industrial waste, has been used successfully at the cement plant since 2007.

SITA UK plan to develop two local waste recycling facilities to manufacture this fuel, the first in Birmingham and the second at Malpass Farm, adjacent to the Rugby cement plant.

The company plans to bring the Birmingham facility on stream by the end of 2012 and Malpass Farm in early 2014.

The development of the plants will provide CEMEX UK with a more sustainable cement kiln fuel, reducing their reliance on fossil fuels while providing a long-term solution for the local community by diverting waste that cannot be recycled away from landfill.

Together, the two plants will be able to produce and supply up to 250,000 tonnes of Climafuel to Rugby, which is currently permitted to utilize up to 65% of its fuel needs with this fuel. A current application to the Environment Agency could see this increase to 80%.

Dan Panormo, CEMEX’s renewable energy manager, said: ‘We are delighted that SITA UK are able to work with us in securing local waste and providing the facilities for the production of Climafuel.

‘With the fuel coming from within a 30-mile radius of the cement plant from Birmingham and subsequently from Malpass Farm, it guarantees the environmental credentials of this alternative fuel.’

Ben Harding, head of infrastructure development at SITA UK, commented: ‘We are very pleased to be working in partnership with CEMEX to secure a sustainable, long-term solution to divert waste away from landfill in the Midlands through the production of an alternative fuel for use at the Rugby cement plant.

‘The development of a facility to produce Climafuel as part of our wider developments in the Birmingham area, and a second dedicated facility at Malpass Farm, demonstrates our commitment to develop sustainable waste-management infrastructure to extract value from local commercial and municipal wastes.

‘The new sites will create a significant number of jobs, both in their construction and long-term operation and maintenance of the plants.’