Cemex nearer to alternative fuel permit, USA

Cemex is a step closer to using alternative fuels at Kiln No 2 of its Brooksville South plant with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) reportedly poised to grant the company the necessary permit.

Cemex has been testing some of the fuels in the kiln on a temporary permit since last year, said company spokeswoman Sara Engdahl.

"Cemex is pleased with the FDEP's support of our successful alternative fuels program at Brooksville," Ms Engdahl said. "Our innovative alternative fuels programme not only directly supports the state of Florida's initiative to increase recycling and reduce the use of landfills, but also decreases carbon emissions and conserves natural resources."

Earlier this year, the company saw its use of alternative fuels reach up to 47 percent of total use, Ms Engdahl said. The company expects to eventually reduce its coal use by about 60 per cent by burning new alternative fuels. That would increase to 70 per cent when including whole tyres, which the company has burned for decades. The permit would also allow for a wide range of other non-hazardous fuels.

Cemex's Kiln No 2at the Brooksville plant had been operating at about two-thirds capacity last autumn because of a sharp drop-off in market demand. Now, Ms Engdahl said, the kiln is operating at about 90 per cent of its daily capacity of 3500t of clinker.