Republic Cement has been offering to its partner communities waste co-processing which uses alternative fuels in the manufacture of cement.
Practiced since the early 2000s, the method paves the way for the recovery of the energy and mineral content of waste materials that serve as substitute fuels or alternative raw materials to produce cement in a single operation.
The process burns waste materials such as plastics at 1450°C in a kiln chamber, recovering from them thermal and mineral properties that provide the energy needed to produce cement.
With co-processing, qualified wastes are completely destroyed while utilizing its energy and mineral components integrating into the manufacture of cement.
Co-processing enables Republic Cement to maximize the use of alternative fuels such as rice husk, saw dust, and refuse-derived fuel as a substitute for its fossil fuel requirements. Using these materials as fuel proved to be more environment-friendly, moving the company closer to zero waste and lower carbon dioxide emissions.
Having established its leadership in providing innovative construction solutions and manufacturing expertise, Republic Cement plants are equipped with state-of-the-art continuous emission monitoring systems that are calibrated and maintained.
Republic Cement also offers co-processing services to fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies through “Plastic Neutrality” option for partners. Plastic Neutrality is a scheme in which a waste plastic generator engages another party that provides a method or technology to reduce or offset their plastic consumption directly aimed at reducing waste plastics in the communities and landfills.
This helps reduce single-use plastics and transforming wastes into resources which in the case of Republic Cement is used as alternative fuel.
Republic Cement offers its use of post-consumer waste plastic as alternative fuels in cement production to offset the use of plastics in consumer goods packaging. Post-consumer plastics are the materials or finished plastic products that have served their intended use and have been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, having completed their lives as consumer items.
In 2019, Republic Cement sealed three partnerships with companies looking to become plastic neutral including Nestle, Century Pacific Food and Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures.
Republic Cement has also established partnerships with local government units including the City of Manila; Valenzuela; Paete and Liliw in Laguna; Norzagaray, and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan; Teresa in Rizal; Taysan and Lipa City in Batangas, and San Fernando, Lubao Sasmuan and Mexico in Pampanga.
This story was first published in Malaya Business Insight on July 27, 2020.
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