Wastes co-processing — the way for resources preservation

Increasing demand in emerging economies, combined with resource scarcity, pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasing consumption and subsequent waste generation, makes low grade resources and waste treatment in Resources Intensives Industries (RII’s) an interesting opportunity.
Wastes and low grade resources co-processing combines complete energy recovery of organic fraction and full recycling of the mineral fraction jointly needed in major’s RII’s industrial processes.
For examples, NGO’s and International bodies (UN) have now recognized cement kilns as the best treatment option available locally for organic hazardous wastesin countries which chose to restrict or avoid building incinerators.
Co-processing needs a high level and professional approach from the industries and to be regulated and monitored by the authorities, as all other waste management activities i.e. reducing the need for fossil fuel and virgin raw materials and contributing to overall reduced CO2 emissions compared to landfilling or waste incineration.

Author: J.-P. Degré, K.H. Karstensen

Section: Waste utilization

Keywords: co-processing, fuel out of waste, cement kilns