Warwickshire County Council has granted building materials company CEMEX permission for the development of a Climafuel Manufacturing Plant at Malpass Farm, adjacent to the company's cement plant in Rugby. The Climafuel Manufacturing Plant will receive non-recyclable, residual household and commercial waste, and transform it into a sustainable 'green' fuel, referred to by CEMEX as Climafuel. The new plant will be able to produce up to 250,000 tonnes of Climafuel per annum, thereby potentially diverting up to the equivalent of 75% of Warwickshire's future waste from landfill, by turning it into a valuable fuel to heat the cement kiln at Rugby plant.
The introduction of Climafuel as an alternative fuel in Rugby nearly two years ago has led to a 30% reduction in emissions of oxides of nitrogen, as well as the diversion of approximately 250,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Based on the biomass content in the fuel, the use of Climafuel has also saved over 150,000 tonnes of CO2, the same emissions as almost 60,000 cars produce in a year.
CEMEX's Vice President of Cement Operations, Carlos Uruchurtu, said: "By approving the application for the Climafuel Plant at Malpass, we feel that Warwickshire's Regulatory (Planning) Committee has recognised our contribution to the local economy, and the significant benefits of diverting waste from landfill through energy recovery in Rugby's cement kiln. We are also pleased that they by making this decision, have acknowledged the potential for Climafuel's potential to further reduce emissions and the carbon footprint at the cement plant."
CEMEX will develop the Climafuel plant, which is estimated to total £50 million and create 25 full-time jobs, in conjunction with the Waste Recycling Group (WRG) next year. Prior to that, an operating permit from the industry regulator, the Environment Agency, will be sought.
Climafuel currently replaces 30% of the fossil fuels used at Rugby plant. Increasing the use of waste derived fuels is key to the cement plant's sustainable development and competitive future. CEMEX has requested Environment Agency approval to further increase the use of Climafuel, the evaluation of which is likely to commence later this year.