Improving environmental performance at Tunstead

In 2011, Tarmac Buxton Lime and Cement implemented a range of measures that significantly improve the environmental impact at our Tunstead site, one of the largest limestone quarries in Europe. These include completion of the switch to a more efficient lime kiln, trialling a new alternative fuel, and major restoration work.

The new state-of-the-art Maerz lime kiln is now fully operational and the two old rotary lime kilns that it replaced have now been demolished. All the metal content has been recovered, and other material has either been reused on site or transferred for recovery elsewhere.

A new alternative fuel called Calfuel has been successfully trialled in the cement plant. This is a mixture of non-hazardous materials including paper, cardboard, plastic, textiles and wood chips that would otherwise have been sent to landfill. We submitted a report on the trial to the Environment Agency and, subject to their approval, Calfuel will be burned on a permanent basis. This Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), together with the established use of tyre chips and meat and bone meal, could help the plant achieve an overall reduction in fossil fuel consumption of over 50%, as well as lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 24%. Such improvements not only improve our overall environmental impact but are also essential to keep the Tunstead plant competitive.

Meanwhile, at the southern end of the Tunstead site, the restoration of Buxton Central is being carefully managed to recreate features, including limestone outcrops, which mimic natural features of the Peak District. The surface will be returned to that of a natural daleside pasture, and monitored over five years until fully established.