Aberthaw cement works, located in the Vale of Glamorgan in Wales, held public exhibitions last week to raise awareness of new waste-derived fuels it plans to use as part of its strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and energy costs.

The plant, which is owned by Lafarge Cement (UK), plans to use Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), a fuel that is made up of non-recyclable wastes generated from homes and businesses, as well as end-of-life tyres. Both fuel types would be used in conjunction with Meat and Bone Meal (MBM), which the Aberthaw works team has been using since 2005.

Jonathan Bailes, environment co-ordinator at Aberthaw Works, said: "We spend over one million a year on coal and electricity as it’s a very energy intensive process. To reduce our costs and CO2 footprint we have looked at using waste derived fuels."

If Lafarge is given the go-ahead, they say the fuels could save up to 15,500 tonnes of coal each year, and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 20 per cent.

James Kirkpatrick, Aberthaw Works Manager, told residents living nearby that the proposed new fuels would not have an impact on them.

Lafarge Cement UK will apply for permission to the Environment Agency after the consultation process has been completed. It hopes to use the new fuels from June onwards.