Organisations invest in low carbon fuel research at Lafarge Canada cement plant

Lafarge Canada Inc. is partnering with Natural Resources Canada, the Queen’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy and Carbon Management Canada (CMC) to develop a system that uses local surplus materials as low carbon fuels to power Lafarge Canada’s cement plant in Bath, Ontario, thereby reducing GHG emissions. The organisations will be investing $8 million in the project, which will use materials such as construction and demolition site debris (wood-based), railway ties and other energy containing materials that are not currently recycled. The full-scale demonstration aims to help the country’s cement sector to utilise low carbon fuels and reduce carbon emissions, whilst also providing greater value for local communities. Lafarge Canada will receive $2.68 million from Natural Resources Canada to construct the full-scale demonstration plant.

CMC is providing a three-year $400 000 funding grant to the Queen’s Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy research team led by Dr Mabee. Queen’s Institute will look into the benefits of low carbon fuels in terms of life cycle benefits and emissions reduction.

“We will be measuring the impact of low carbon fuels in a real kiln, in a real plant, making real cement,” stated Dr Warren Mabee, Director of Queen's University Institute for Energy and Environmental Policy. “This project will give us a very good sense of how these fuels will perform in the real world.”

“Our commitment is to build better cities and communities. Being a responsible neighbour and sustainable partner in the community where we live, work and raise our families is part our core values,” commented Cartmel, President and Chief Executive Officer in Eastern Canada for Lafarge Canada Inc. “We are delighted to bring this world class demonstration initiative to the Canadian cement industry. We believe that this project is exactly in line with our mission of building better cities by lowering our carbon footprint, making use of local fuel supplies, and creating local sustainable jobs.”

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/07052013/lafarge_canada_partners_invest_low_carbon_fuel_research_189/