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Lafarge Canada Invests in Low-Carbon Fuel Plant

Lafarge Canada, a member of Holcim Group, has officially launched its state-of-the-art low-carbon fuel (LCF) plant at their Exshaw cement facility, in collaboration with Geocycle Canada. The $38 million facility will reduce the plant’s reliance on traditional fuels, replacing up to 50% of the natural gas used in one of its rotary kilns.

The alternative thermal energy is derived from construction and demolition waste (CDW), primarily discarded wood that would otherwise end up in landfills, where it would emit methane into the environment.

To commemorate this milestone, Lafarge and Geocycle held a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local leaders and key stakeholders.

Brad Kohl, President and CEO of Lafarge Canada in the West, stated that the cement company’s commitment to building a sustainable future is main focus to everything they do. This project involving one of their rotary kilns is a prime example of how innovation and collaboration can drive positive change, reducing environmental impact by using waste biomass materials and closing the loop on material use to help preserve natural resources.

Geocycle Canada, also part of Holcim Group, is responsible for co-processing biomass waste to convert it into low-carbon fuels. This method ensures that no waste is left behind, providing a comprehensive solution. The materials are carefully selected and processed to maintain high safety and quality standards.

Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, Rebecca Schulz, shared that the province is showing the world that it is possible to reduce emissions while simultaneously growing the economy. The ministry is proud to support this announcement as another way the province is backing emissions reductions and creating good jobs for Alberta’s population in the years to come.

The new facility was made possible through $10 million in funding from Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA) via the Alberta Government’s Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund. ERA’s CEO, Justin Riemer, remarked that advancing towards technological solutions to keep valuable materials within the economic cycle, while preventing their disposal in landfills, makes sense both environmentally and economically. It is hoped that any positive outcomes or lessons learned will inspire others in the cement industry to follow, amplifying the impact of this investment and extending its reach globally.

The Lafarge Exshaw plant, a strategic cement supplier in Canada and the Pacific Northwest of the United States, supports key infrastructure projects while promoting sustainability efforts coast to coast. The LCF facility is expected to divert up to 120,000 tons of construction and demolition waste from landfills annually, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 30,000 tons per year.

The Exshaw plant is on track to become one of Canada’s most carbon-efficient cement facilities, setting a new industry standard for low-emission technologies.

Source: https://cementproducts.com/