Update on trial to improve our carbon footprint by reducing fossil fuels

We have previously shared updates about an Environment Protection Authority-approved trial at our Adbri Cement (ABC) manufacturing facility at Birkenhead to further reduce our use of non-renewable fossil fuels by replacing them with increased usage of alternative fuel.

We ran a successful trial late last year to increase the use of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) in our Birkenhead calciner from about 80% to 100%. This involved increasing the use of RDF from 25 tonnes/hour to 32 tonnes/hour.

The trial, which included comprehensive stack testing, demonstrated that we have the machinery, supply capacity and process capability to run the calciner with 100% RDF, with no significant impact or change on the normal operation of the Kiln 4 combustion process and no increased risk of adverse environmental or human health impacts.

Since then, we have submitted the post-trial report to the EPA, which advised it is satisfied with the report.

RDF is a process-engineered alternative fuel, produced from materials which would otherwise be destined for landfill, including predominantly construction and demolition materials, that are sorted and processed at an off-site facility by a third-party. RDF is a critical replacement for fossil fuel, used by cement plants globally to reduce their carbon footprint by diverting refuse from landfill.

In line with international best-practice, ABC has led the way in Australia by steadily replacing natural gas with alternative fuel at Birkenhead over the last 19 years, achieving:

• Diversion of 2.6 million tonnes of refuse away from landfill
• A reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 760,000 tonnes of CO₂.

Increasing RDF use in the calciner to 100% would divert an additional 80,000 tonnes of refuse from landfill per year and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a further 13,000 tonnes per year.

Switching from fossil fuels to alternative fuels is just one of the many ways that we are building a better Australia.

Replacing fossil fuels with alternative fuels at our ABC manufacturing facility at Birkenhead has also contributed to ABC becoming the producer of Australia’s lowest embodied carbon Type GP cement. We are proud to advise that our newly released Environmental Product Declarations verify this fact. Increased use of RDF helps support the circular economy and is an important milestone on our journey towards our goal of net zero emissions by 2050, as outlined in our Net Zero Emissions Roadmap.

A process change request has been submitted to the EPA to permit higher use of RDF on an ongoing basis.

Community feedback is welcomed on the post-trial report and the process change request.

If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us via: bhcommunity@adbri.com.au.