The Continental Cement Davenport Plant celebrated the completion of its Green America Recycling expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, September 10th. The $38 million project enhances the plant’s ability to convert landfill waste into energy, marking a significant step forward in sustainable cement production.
A key feature of the expansion is the installation of the FUELFLEX Pyrolyzer, a state-of-the-art technology from Denmark-based FLSmidth Cement. The system converts waste materials such as paper, plastics, and rubber into energy, reducing the plant’s reliance on fossil fuels like coal and petroleum coke. This energy is then used in the production of cement, contributing to a more sustainable infrastructure.
Senior Vice President of Green America Recycling, Nicholas Marks, explained that the expansion allows the plant to handle and process waste materials more efficiently. “We take in everyday materials that would normally go to a landfill, shred them, and use them in the kiln to produce cement,” said Marks. This shift in fuel usage is a game-changer for the facility, which now replaces a significant portion of traditional fuels with waste-derived energy.
In addition to the FUELFLEX Pyrolyzer, the expansion includes improvements to the plant’s shredding and feeding systems, as well as the installation of a new metal separator to enhance processing efficiency.
Anne Noonan, President and CEO of Summit Materials, the parent company of Continental Cement, highlighted the environmental impact of the project. “Compared to the industry average of 14% alternative fuel use, this expansion allows us to achieve 55% at the Davenport plant,” Noonan stated. “We are leading the way, and this technology is expected to significantly reduce carbon emissions across the cement industry.”
The Davenport Plant employs over 30 people and is recognized for its commitment to safety, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Local leaders, including Quad Cities Chamber President Peter Tokar, praised the project, calling it “a refreshing example of corporate leadership in sustainability.”
The expansion positions the Davenport Plant as a trailblazer in sustainable construction, aligning with industry goals to lower carbon emissions and create environmentally responsible building materials.
Text and image sourced from https://www.wvik.org/ by Brady Johnson
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