Alternative fuels reduce environmental impact

FINNSEMENTTI REDUCES CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS BY USING ALTERNATIVE FUELS. THE WASTE HEAT FROM THE CEMENT KILNS IS SOLDTO THE CITY’S DISTRICT HEATING NETWORK.

The CO2 emissions at Finnsementti’s Lappeenranta plant have steadily declined in the 2010s. The development, in line with the company’s strategy, is affected by the technology of the new cement kiln commissioned in 2007 and the use of alternative fuels.

– More than half of the fuel we use is alternative. Mostly we use REF and some recycled oil, explains Jussi Puustinen, director of the plant.

The waste heat generated in the manufacture of cement is sold to Lappeenrannan Energia, which feeds it to the district heating network.

Finnsementti develops the energy efficiency of its operations and production on a continuous basis. Also waste and by-products from other industries is utilised in the manufacture of cement. Mill scale, needed in the process, is obtained from the Imatra steel factory while fly ash comes from power plants. The transportation emissions of the primary raw material remain low, as the limestone is obtained from the Nordkalk quarry next to the plant.