While co-processing in the cement industry has only recently been introduced to China, several initiatives are already well underway to spread the practice to more cement producers to reduce landfill sites and curb GHG emissions. Phase one of the Sino-Norwegian project to pilot waste studies and co-processing in cement kilns has successfully been achieved and now the goal is to prepare a nationwide programme for co-processing in the cement industry. By Yan Da-Hai1, KH Karstensen2, Peng Zheng3, Tang Yandong3 and Guo Xin3.
Co-processing of wastes as alternative fuels and raw materials offers advantages for the cement industry, for waste producers, as well as for the authorities responsible for waste management. Such practice means recovery of valuable materials in the wastes by using already-existing facilities, reducing the need to invest in new, expensive and purpose-built treatment capacity or incinerators. The incentive for the cement industry is that they need less coal and raw materials, and they can even charge for certain waste categories. The advantages for society are an increased capacity for waste treatment, improved energy and resource efficiency as well as a reduction in GHG emissions due to reduced consumption of fossil fuels and virgin raw materials.
