Following extensive consultation with local people, Lafarge Cement UK’s Hope Works has now submitted an application to the Environment Agency for permission to use an additional sustainable fuel at its Hope Works in Derbyshire, UK
 
The company issued a newsletter to 5,000 homes and held two exhibitions to ensure the local community were aware of its plans and had the opportunity to put forward views and ask questions about the proposed new fuel, Processed Sewage Pellets (PSP).
 
Prompted by increased competition in the cement market and a serious downturn in demand for construction products, Lafarge plans to use PSP at Hope Works as a way of maintaining environmental performance, but also controlling rising energy costs.
 
SP is already used as an effective fuel in the cement-making process in many countries including Spain, Austria and France.  It has also been used for over six years at Lafarge Cement’s plant in Cauldon, Staffordshire.
 
Hope Works manager Ashley Bryan comments:  "We are committed to open communications about our operations and it was important that we consulted with our neighbours and stakeholders about our plans for this new fuel.
 
"We were pleased to receive so many responses to our newsletter, and to welcome over 40 people to our exhibitions.  In addition we took members of our community liaison committee over to our sister plant, Cauldon Works, where they have been using this fuel for over six years.”
 
He continued: "An additional benefit is that the use of PSP will help us achieve a reduction in our CO2 emissions and therefore help us meet future targets set by the European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EUETS).  It is estimated that by using 30,000t of PSP, 20,000 tonnes of coal will be replaced (which is enough coal to power over 6,000 homes for a year) and emissions of CO2 will be reduced by approximately 50,000t."