Lafarge Cement and Soda Polska Ciech have begun their joint investment, which will allow the production of so-called green cement. The investment cost ZL43m (US$15m) but the venture received a ZL12.3m (US$4.2m) subsidy from the European Union. The new plant, Zaklad Gospodarki Popiolami (ZGP), will separate cinders, which are a side product of sodium production, which will allow the saving of natural resources.
The heat used for sodium production is derived from coal burning and as result a lot of cinders are being generated. They cannot be used, however, for cement production. ZGP will be the first plant in Europe to implement a unique technology which helps separate cinders and obtain cinders with a high ratio of coal that can be used for heat production. This allows for lower hard coal consumption for energy production. The technology has been imported from the US.
