Cementos Alfa, part of the Portland Valderrivas Group, has avoided the emission of 31,000t of CO2 at its Mataporquera plant, Cantabria, in 2018 as a result of the use of 150tpd biomass as alternative fuel. Moreover, the use of the fuel, through improved energy efficiency, is enabling the company to remain competitive.

In 2019 it plans to double the amount of biomass and therefore, has applied to the Spain’s General Directorate for the Environment to extend the authorisation.

Output at the plant reached around 0.5Mta in 2017 and 2018. This year, the company expects to increase production to close to 0.6Mt.