RICHMOND, British Columbia, May 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lafarge Canada Inc.’s Richmond Cement Plant has launched a new and improved lower carbon fuel (LCF) system to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of cement. The initiative aims to make the facility the most carbon efficient cement plant in Canada. It will also help minimize landfill waste; specifically, non-recyclable plastics that are creating a backlog for municipalities across Canada.
Lafarge’s newly commissioned fuel handling and delivery system is expected to replace up to 50 per cent of the plant’s fossil fuel use with lower carbon fuels. This rate of substitution could result in a 20 per cent reduction of combustion emissions. The project cost $28 million and Lafarge received $14 million in funding support from the British Columbia Ministry of Environment.
“Lafarge is aligned with Metro Vancouver’s sustainability goals for recovering energy from landfill-bound solid waste, a classic example of the Circular Economy in action. This new system allows us to more easily reach our target of substituting 50 per cent of our fossil fuel use with lower carbon options. Data from our pilot suggests we can go higher—even up to 70 per cent is realistic,” explains Pascal Bouchard, Plant Manager.
LCF used by the plant is comprised of primarily non-recyclable waste byproducts; waste that does not have an existing or economically viable recycling outlet and is bound for landfills. It allows Lafarge to divert approximately 100,000 tonnes per year of waste from local landfills, the equivalent of about 8,300 loaded garbage trucks.
“With an ever growing population, using waste as a source of energy is the future of waste management and recycling. It offers superior environmental performance compared to landfill and incineration of waste and significantly reduces greenhouse gas emission from cement production,” explains Sophie Wu, Head of Geocycle North America, LafargeHolcim’s waste management subsidiary.
The 60-year-old Richmond Cement Plant, Lafarge’s first Canadian facility, has been permitted to use lower carbon fuels for ten years. Previous upgrades allowed the plant to achieve 25 per cent substitution. An investment by Lafarge and funding from the British Columbia Cement Low Carbon Fuel Program makes the new system economically viable and demonstrates a long-term commitment to the plant and the British Columbia cement market.
ABOUT LAFARGE CANADA INC.
Lafarge is Canada's largest provider of diversified construction materials and a member of the global group, LafargeHolcim. With 6,000 employees and 400 sites across Canada, our mission is to provide construction solutions that build better cities and communities. The cities where Canadians live, work, and raise their families along with the community’s infrastructure benefit from the solutions provided by Lafarge consisting of aggregates, asphalt and paving, cement, precast concrete, ready-mix concrete and infrastructure construction.
Through LafargeHolcim’s 2030 Plan, Lafarge is committed to providing solutions using sustainable manufacturing practices and improving the environment in and around its operations. The company has a sixty year history in Canada and works continually to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, restore wetlands for native plants and animals, and identify waste materials that can be recycled and used in our operations.
More information: www.lafarge.ca
B-roll and photos available upon request.