DENR pushes alternative fuels, raw materials in cement making

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is promoting the use of alternative fuels and raw materials in the production of cement.

The DENR has released the guidelines for the registration and the issuance of permits for the processing of waste materials in cement production.

According to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Horacio C. Ramos, “cement production is energy-intensive, and giant cement companies in the country have started co-processing alternative fuels and alternative raw materials in manufacturing cement.”

DENR Administrative Order 2010-06 provides the guidelines to ensure that the use of alternative fuels and raw materials in the cement industry is compatible with existing national laws and policies on hazardous waste, waste management and air quality standards to reduce their environmental impacts.

Alternative fuels refer to non-traditional fuels, such as waste materials, that provide thermal energy in the production of cement, while alternative raw materials refer to waste materials that provide minerals essential in the production of cement. 

Co-processing is the reuse or recovery of mineral or energy content of waste materials while simultaneously manufacturing cement in a single combined operation.

Ramos said waste materials that can be used in cement kiln burners include plastic waste, car tires, waste wood, rice husk, sewage sludge, animal meal, waste oil and solvents.

The DENR order prohibits the use of health care wastes, asbestos-containing wastes, all types of batteries, electronic assemblies and scraps, explosives, cyanide wastes, mineral acids, radioactive wastes and un-segregated municipal solid wastes as alternative fuels.

Cement kilns are fuelled traditionally by non-renewable energy, such as coal, fuel oil, pet-coke and natural gas. 

Traditional raw materials used in cement production, on the other hand, include limestone, marl, sand, shale, clay, pyrite cinder, diorite, silica, to name a few.