ÇEİS Calls for Alternative Fuels

Cement Industry Employers' Union (ÇEİS) Chairman of the Board Suat ÇALBIYIK stated that approximately 32 million tonnes/year of municipal solid waste is generated in Turkey, saying "At least 7 million tonnes of this waste have alternative fuel production potential. Through the use of alternative fuels in the cement sector, the import of approximately 3 million tonnes of coal can be prevented, enabling foreign currency savings." Cement Industry Employers' Union Chairman of the Board Suat ÇALBIYIK made assessments regarding waste use in the Turkish cement sector during Energy Conservation Week. Noting that municipal waste (garbage) holds critical importance in raising the rate of alternative fuel use in Turkey to the high average seen in Europe and worldwide, Suat ÇALBIYIK stated: "Approximately 32 million tonnes/year of municipal solid waste is generated in Turkey, and at least 7 million tonnes of alternative fuel production potential can be derived from this waste. Through the use of these alternative fuels in the cement sector, the import of approximately 3 million tonnes of coal can be prevented, enabling foreign currency savings and the reduction of current account deficit. On the other hand, it becomes possible to reduce greenhouse gases causing climate change and to lighten the waste load going to municipal solid waste disposal areas. At the same time, the operating costs of municipal disposal facilities also decrease. Furthermore, municipal solid waste can be processed in pre-treatment facilities equipped with biological drying systems to be built at municipal solid waste sites, producing "waste-derived fuel." Municipalities or private subsidiaries can establish these facilities. Materials such as plastic, paper, cardboard and textiles that cannot be recycled, along with organic content, are dried and used as alternative fuel in the cement sector. The facility generates income from the sale of recoverable materials and the produced alternative fuel," he said.

"USD 60 million in savings was achieved in 2018"

Also recalling that 35 out of 55 cement plants operating nationwide have licences to use waste as alternative fuel, Suat ÇALBIYIK said: "Alternative fuel use in our country was 88 thousand tonnes in 2008 and reached only 1 million tonnes by 2018. The quantity of waste used by our sector as alternative raw material reached 1.5 million tonnes in 2018. The use of 1 million tonnes of alternative fuel corresponds to approximately 7% thermal substitution rate. In cement plants in European Union countries, approximately 44% of thermal energy (approaching 100% in some facilities) is supplied from waste. With 1 million tonnes of waste used by cement plants in our country in 2018, approximately 600 thousand tonnes of imported coal was saved and approximately USD 60 million in foreign currency remained in our country."