Hima Cement’s alternative fuels initiative, Uganda

Uganda-based producer Hima Cement is looking to increase its use of coffee husks as an energy source for cement production.

The East African reports that the company is to spend Ush2bn ($783,570) on a project to increase production of coffee in the Rwenzori region, western Uganda, by providing seedlings.

Hima Cement, part of the Lafarge Group, in turn will get coffee husks to use as an alternative energy source, thus reducing its reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, natural gas or petroleum.

At least 14,000 disease-resistant coffee seedlings will be planted in the districts of Kasese and Kamwenge over the next five years, benefiting over 45,000 farmers.

“We are fully committed to building a sustainable business that is environmentally friendly. There is sufficient land for us to support coffee growth, and promote agriculture in this region,” said Lafarge East Africa CEO Hussein Mansi.

The plant currently uses 150t of coffee husks to generate electricity, representing 40 per cent of the plant’s energy requirements.