Waste-derived fuels
Using waste-derived fuels brings multiple benefits to the sustainability of our cement operations. This energy source replaces use of fossil fuels, which conserves natural resources, reduces waste and cuts CO2 and other emissions, while delivering value for Tarmac and our customers.
In 2011, over a third – 37% – of the energy used for our cement manufacturing was generated from waste-derived fuels instead of fossil fuels, and during this time we used 44,636 tonnes of alternative fuels.
Waste-derived fuels are integral to our cement production at Tunstead in Derbyshire. The site has saved over 140,000 tonnes of fossil fuel since 2006 by using waste-derived fuels. This involves heating a controlled mix of limestone, clay and other raw materials at very high temperatures. Traditionally, coal and petroleum coke have been used to fuel kilns to generate flame temperatures of up to 2,000°C. To date, using waste-derived fuels has cut fossil fuel use at the site by more than 30% and reduced greenhouse gases by over 15%.
Our actions
Tyre chips
We use recycled tyre chips as an alternative to fossil fuels. Since 2006, we have used the equivalent of 14 million tyres that would otherwise have gone to landfill as an energy source for Tunstead. Using tyre chips reduces waste and lowers our CO2 emissions significantly because they contain a percentage of biomass (from natural rubber), which is carbon neutral.
Calfuel®
In 2011, we continued using waste-derived fuel for Tunstead’s cement kiln by using Calfuel, a Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), made from non-hazardous materials including paper, cardboard, plastics, textiles and wood chips. During 2011, the Buxton cement kiln used around 20,000 tonnes of Calfuel – 37% of the kiln’s total energy was generated from non-fossil fuels.
Meat and bone meal (MBM)
We started using meat and bone meal (MBM) as an energy source at Tunstead in 2008. To date, we have used more than 49,000 tonnes of this material, which would otherwise go straight to landfill. MBM is a by-product of the meat processing industry and is a non-hazardous, sterilised powder.
