Use of tyres shows further environmental gains for CEMEX cement plant in Rugby

17 June 2008: Building materials company, CEMEX UK, has published a draft report for public consultation following a trial programme using chipped tyres as a substitute fuel at an increased rate of six tonnes per hour at its cement plant in Rugby. The report sets out how, in the company's view, the trial has met and exceeded the ‘critical success factors' for the programme set out in conjunction with the cement industry regulator, the Environment Agency (EA).

The key measure for the trial is the Environmental Index which has improved by 33% after increasing the use of tyres from three to six tonnes per hour. This index is an aggregate measure of the emissions to air from the main stack. The increased use of tyres has shown that these have declined further at this higher rate of usage. Most noticeable is the reduction in the emissions of oxides of nitrogen by 26%. Since the start of tyre use as a fuel at the Rugby works, emissions of oxides of nitrogen have reduced by around 40% and the use of fossil fuels has fallen by 24%.

CEMEX was originally granted a permit by the Environment Agency to use chipped tyres at the rate of three tonnes per hour in February 2007 following a successful trials programme, which demonstrated distinct environmental benefits of using tyres. Tyres have been used at the plant on a continuous basis since that time.

The disposal of the 40 million tyres scrapped each year in the UK remains a problem for society and land-filling has been outlawed for some time. Their use as an alternative fuel is part of the solution which brings with it significant environmental advantages.

The wider alternative fuels programme at Rugby and other CEMEX plants is making a considerable contribution to improved environmental performance. Both tyres and other alternative fuels, such as Climafuel, which is derived from household residual waste and commercial waste, help to reduce emissions. They also help save fossil fuels for the future and reduce the carbon footprint associated with the cement-making process, as well as preserving employment and improving plants' competitiveness. At Rugby, the draft report clearly demonstrates that the use of tyres has produced positive results, and early indications are that the current Climafuel programme is producing similar results.

The report is available on the company's website - http://www.cemex.co.uk/  - at Rugby Borough Council and Rugby Library. Comments should be sent in writing, in the first instance, to Ian Southcott, CEMEX House, Rugby CV21 2DT  or by email to ian.southcott@cemex.com. The closing date for comments is Friday 18 July.