Cementos Molins plans to raise alternative fuel use at its Sant Vicenç del Horts plant near Barcelona, Spain, from 34 to 39 per cent of the fuel mix this year. The step is expected to reduce fuel costs by EUR1.2m annually.

The increase is made possible due to considerable use of waste tyres to replace petcoke, the fuel most commonly used in the plant.

However, for the plan to go ahead, the authorities have to approve the modification to the plant’s current permit to use up to 115,000t of alternative fuel. Cemento Molins will request permission to increase the current volume of 5000t of waste tyres to 20,000t while reducing the reliance on biomass.