Lafarge awaits gov't decision on petcoke usage, Egypt

Lafarge has been ordered by Egypt’s Ministry of State for Environmental Affairs (MSEA) to halt its preparations to build storage units for petcoke, according to a statement by the ministry on Tuesday.

The MSEA expects the company to wait for a final decision on the use of petcoke as fuel in its industrial operations. Lafarge submitted a study to MSEA on the environmental impact of petcoke in May 2013 and awaits a government decision on its use. The MSEA does not allow cement factories to import coal, citing hazards to the environment and the economy.

Samar Raouf, communications director at Lafarge Egypt, told Ahram Online. "Lafarge has an international obligation to gradually transfer to environmentally friendly sources of energy. We have been taking steps towards fulfilling our obligations to the environment since 2010.”