US-based NuCycle Energy has launched a facility in Plant City, Florida, to make alternative fuels, primarily as a coal substitute, exclusively for Cemex.
The plant, which came online in April, is now fully operational and ramping up to process 150,000tpa of post-industrial materials, primarily process and packaging residuals. While the facility was built to support Cemex, plans are to build more facilities in Miami, Greater Atlanta and Massachusetts in the near future, according to Jim LaDue, COO for NuCycle Energy.
The 30tph automated process involves shredding and grinding material to the finished particle size. After ferrous and nonferrous metals are removed, the densification process to compact the material into Enviro-Fuelcubes begins. On average, 1t replaces 0.9t of coal.
"Cemex’s cement manufacturing process coupled with NuCycle’s cubes offers a zero-waste solution. We are exploring replicating this successful experience at the rest of our cement kilns, countrywide," says Eduardo Pons, Cemex USA corporate fuels manager.