Co-processing

Co-processing using the stable, high temperature environment - up to 2,000°C - available in the cement kiln of Holcim Vietnam is a sustainable and efficient means of completely destroying industrial waste as well as sorted municipal solid waste. This includes off-spec material, out-of-date products and other waste materials that cannot be recycled by traditional means.

A win-win situation

By incorporating the energy and mineral components of wastes into the manufacture of cement, not only is waste totally destroyed but also natural resources such as coal, petroleum and gas are preserved.

Co-processing offers several specific advantages:

• Ultra high cement kiln gas temperatures and the long residence time present ideal conditions for the complete destruction of any organic material
• Combustion gases are cleaned in a counter flow process against in-coming calcium oxide feed material (a basic ingredient of cement). Calcium oxide binds many gases and works as a scrubber.
• Co-processing is a highly efficient solution. It eradicates waste, recovers energy otherwise lost and reduces overall CO₂ (global warming) emissions otherwise released by incineration, decomposition or degradation in dumps or landfill sites

There is zero residue generated from the process and the total incorporation of ash into the clinker product, and ultimately into finished cement.

Types of waste co-processed by Geocycle Vietnam

We are able to accommodate a wide range of waste, which in most cases is subjected to pre-processing procedures, requiring engineering expertise to ensure the waste is suitable for co-processing.

• Pirate goods for a secure destruction
• Plastic & rubber waste
• Pesticides
• Hydrocarbons
• Ash & Contaminated soils
• Packaging
• Expired or off-specification products
• Waste water
• Waste water sludge
• Paint waste
• Solvent & other chemical waste
• Textile & Synthetic materials
• Pharmaceutical products
• Biomass material
• Other waste

There are some types of waste which are unsuitable for cement kilns:

• Anatomical hospital wastes
• Explosives
• Asbestos-containing wastes
• High-concentration cyanide wastes
• Batteries
• Mineral acids
• Bio-hazardous wastes
• Radioactive wastes
• Electronics metals scrap
• Unsorted municipal garbage