Lafarge applies for fuel alternative

725 Lafarge has started an extensive consultation in the UK in a bid to expand its use of alternative fuels at its Hope Works site in Derbyshire. Under the scheme the company is hoping to us Processed Sewage Pellets (PSP) to improve environmental performance and control rising energy costs.

PSP is made from the sludge that remains after sewage treatment. (Almost a million tonnes of this sludge is generated in the UK each year.) The sludge is then further heat-treated, making it as harmless as garden soil. In some parts of the country this material is used as an agricultural fertiliser.  PSP 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.

The company has sent out newsletters to 5000 local homes and organised 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.

Hope Works manager Ashley Bryan, said, “The use of PSP will help us achieve a reduction in our CO2 emissions and therefore help us meet future targets set by the 3654 European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EUETS).  It is estimated that by using 30,000 tonnes 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 50,000 tonnes."

 Lafarge has submitted its application to the 4366 Environment Agency and hopes to start using and evaluating the fuel in the late summer/early autumn.