In 2020, the EU-27 cement industry met around 52 per cent of the thermal energy it required using alternative fuels, first and foremost refuse-derived fuels (RDF). While this is certainly a positive development, there is more, untapped potential in this area. In fact, the German consultancy firm MVW Lechtenberg & Partner believes that cement manufacturers could replace as much as 85 per cent of the fossil fuels consumed with alternative fuels, provided the relevant qualitative and quantitative specifications are met.
In absolute figures, the EU-27 cement industry has – at least in theory – the potential to increase its aggregate annual co-incineration capacity from the current level of 12 million tonnes to around 20 million tonnes; RDF uptake could be as much as two to three times higher than is the case at present
As part of a study commissioned by the European Investment Bank (EIB), MVW Lechtenberg calculated that around 5 to 6 million tonnes of RDF from municipal and commercial waste were used to provide energy to the European cement industry in 2020. The potential RDF uptake per year for the cement industry lies in the region of 15 million tonnes, according to the consultancy, provided RDF manufacturers meet the requirements regarding quality and security of supply and cement manufacturers make additional investments.
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