Thursday 26 / December / 2024
Muscat: Raysut Cement Company has launched an initiative to recycle industrial waste for use as green fuel in cement production and electricity generation.
Dr. Hilal bin Saif Al-Dhamri, Acting CEO of Raysut Cement, stated that this program supports government efforts to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with Oman's goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
He explained that Raysut Cement has introduced new technologies in its factories in Oman and abroad, enabling the recycling of industrial waste to generate electricity and fuel cement production, reducing reliance on gas. This reduces carbon emissions and enhances resource efficiency, providing clean energy for operations.
Dr. Hilal further elaborated: "We use secondary industrial materials resulting from production processes across various industries. These are recycled in cement manufacturing and are categorized into two types: one that can be reused as an alternative fuel in factories, the other isused as a partial replacement to themain raw materials leveraged for cement production."
The recycled materials include waste from the Sohar aluminum smelter, marble and granite industries, oil well drilling, and the Sohar oil refinery.
Dr. Al-Dhamri provided further details about the recycling program accomplishment saying: “We implemented a project to reuse hot air emissions and transform them into electrical energy at the Raysut Cement factory in Salalah. This innovative approach permits the plant to generate approximately 30% of its electrical energy, by reducing around 50,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually. As a result, the Salalah Raysut Cement factory stands out as environmentally friendly, distinguished by its capability to provide clean energy for cement production.”
He also noted that the industrial waste recycling program enabled Raysut to enhance the efficiency of its Salalah factory by reducing the clinker content while improving the performance of cement in concrete. This has contributed to an approximately 18% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to ordinary cement without compromising quality and efficiency.
The program also contributed to the improvement of the production efficiency of the Sohar Cement factory, one of several factories owned by the Raysut Cement Group. Daily production has gone from 2,000 tons to 5,000 tons, with reduced electricity consumption of approximately 24%.
In the UAE, the Pioneer Cement factory, a subsidiary of Raysut Cement Group, has also scored 20% more efficiency after adopting an alternative fuel scheme.
Dr. Hilal bin Saif Al-Dhamri, Acting CEO of Raysut Cement, concluded his statement by affirming that there are many other initiatives the company is considering in collaboration with relevant government authorities, such as recycling household and municipal waste and using it as an alternative fuel to gas.
Dr. Hilal is recognized as an Omani expert in the field of circular economy. He has previously achieved scientific accomplishments in the reuse of unwanted industrial waste and materials in cement manufacturing. He has also worked on creating industrial integration between the cement industry and other sectors such as oil well drilling, oil refineries, and aluminum smelters.
