Holcim to reduce coal dependence

business mirror

MONDAY, 22 AUGUST 2011 19:16 DENNIS D. ESTOPACE / REPORTER

NORZAGARAY, Bulacan—To cut dependence on coal, Holcim Philippines Inc. says it plans to increase its use of recycled solid waste by 15 percent in the next five years.

Ernesto C. Paredes, vice president for Holcim’s geocycle business, said they are in talks with the local government units of Bulacan, Iloilo, Makati City and Quezon City to increase the acquisition of municipal solid waste.

Paredes said the Geneva, Switzerland-based company began introducing in 2007 recycled solid waste like semiconductors and hazardous waste as alternative sources of fuel.

“We began applications for regulatory approval and conducting tests in 2003,”Paredes said, adding that investments were made incrementally up to 2007 when the company began replacing coal as source of energy to power kilns in Holcim’s Batangas and Lugait plants.

Paredes said the company spent about P200 million to establish the alternative fuel source facilities in the two plants.

Cement, which Holcim produces about 7.7 million metric tons a year on the average, requires 5,500 kilocalories per ton of energy to be made.

Kilns are heated up to 1,450⁰Celsius to burn alite, belite, and other compounds that create cement.

Currently, according to Paredes, alternative fuel sources have contributed about 4 percent to 5 percent for the company’s energy source.

Coal remains the major source of energy for Holcim’s Philippine operations but only about 20 percent in Switzerland’s.

Paredes said the manufacturing plants in Switzerland sources 70 percent to 80 percent of their energy from alternative sources of fuel other than coal.

“In five years beginning 2012, we hope to have at least 20 percent of our energy sources from solid waste.”

Paredes said the revenue they get from this business segment remain minimal. “We get paid for handling disposal.”

He said that they currently have partnerships with companies in the petroleum and fast-moving consumer goods businesses that provide the solid waste to Holcim.