The shredded tyres are likely to start being used after the plant's annual maintenance shutdown in January 2004 for a six months period.
The use of the tyres at Rugby reflects a growing trend for cement kilns to take in waste or secondary materials for use as a fuel and is also part of an expanding market for used whole tyres and chipped tyres.
By 2006 tyres will be banned from landfill and some 40 million are scrapped in the UK each year.
The Rugby Cement trials will go-ahead following approval from the Environment agency and between 10,000 and 20,000 tonnes will be used over the six month period. Bob Millard, the plant's general manager, said: “We are pleased to be able to proceed with these trials so that we can demonstrate through rigorous testing at Rugby what has already been shown in cement kilns around the world over the last 20 years. Namely, that burning tyres will not adversely affect our emissions nor create black smoke or smells.”
Demand for used whole and chipped tyres is seen as strong at present as more recyclers become aware of the fact that they are to be diverted from landfill. Many cement manufacturers are keen to use the tyres as a substitute fuel for about 20% of their fuel usage while traditional routes such as for carpet underlay also need the material.
Market prices for used tyres vary but currently are thought to be in the range of a charge (gate fee) of about 15-45 per tonne, with quality and grading issues influencing the level of the charge.
Hazardous
A number of factors are influencing demand from cement companies including the fact that the industry is looking at its capacity to burn hazardous waste. Tighter controls over hazardous waste under the Landfill Directive have prompted renewed interest from the cement sector and some of the capacity that could be used to burn tyres may instead be used for hazardous waste. Much will depend on whether the cement industry can charge a higher fee for the hazardous waste than it charges for tyres.
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