Cemex’s South Ferriby cement plant in North Lincolnshire set a new record last month by replacing over 74% of the fuel with alternative fuels made from wastes.

This new record for the plant may also be a new record in the UK, where, according to the British Cement Association, the cement industry average is 19.4%.

In addition, emissions of oxides of nitrogen and sulphur have declined by 20% and 43%, respectively, since alternative fuels were introduced at the plant in 2002.

The alternative fuels used at South Ferriby are: secondary liquid fuels (SLFs) made from industrial liquid wastes that cannot be recycled, such as paint, thinners, inks and varnishes; and Climafuel, which is made from household residual and commercial waste that would otherwise go to landfill.

The Climafuel used at South Ferriby is sourced from local suppliers and in the past three months more than 9,000 tonnes of waste that would otherwise have gone to landfill has been used in the cement-making process.

Based on the biomass content in the alternative fuels, so far this year the plant has also saved the equivalent to the carbon dioxide emissions that 3,300 cars produce in a year.

Plant director, Philip Baynes-Clarke, explained: ‘The use of alternative fuels at South Ferriby is one of our key focuses, and is improving the sustainability of our operation. This record is an important milestone for the plant and recognizes the efforts of the team to continually seek to increase performance levels.’

South Ferriby plant currently has a permit to use up to 40% SLF and up to 45% Climafuel on a permanent basis, and has been granted permission to use up to 60% Climafuel on a trial basis.