Alberta Launches TDF Pilot Project

Alberta is launching a tire-derived fuel  (TDF) pilot to test the effectiveness of turning scrap tires into energy to power industrial facilities. Led by the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA), the pilot will produce up to 15,750 tons of chips that will become tire-derived fuel in the coming months.

Lafarge Canada’s new Low-Carbon Fuel Facility will participate in the pilot project and have the equipment needed to burn waste-derived fuels.  Results from the pilot will be used to help determine whether tire-derived fuel should be permanently added to the province’s existing Tire Recycling Program.

Around the world, demand for industrial and manufacturing products is rising as companies look for more ways to repurpose waste, decrease costs and increase operational efficiency while reducing emissions, but these improvements can be expensive and complex.

Alberta’s government and industry are stepping up and setting an example for the world, investing in two new programs to help more industrial and manufacturing companies reduce emissions, re-use waste and keep powering the world. In partnership with Lafarge Canada, the province will launch a program to expand the use of scrap tires and will invest $10 million in a second program to help industry save on their energy bills.

“We are investing in lower-emission fuels and facility upgrades to set our energy sector up for continued success. These new initiatives will keep our province at the forefront of technological advancement and ensure Alberta continues to lead the way to reduce emissions and turn waste into energy.” Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, said.

Alberta’s government is also investing $10 million from the industry-funded Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction (TIER) fund to help launch the new Strategic Energy Management for Industry program.

Delivered through Emissions Reduction Alberta, the program will cover the cost of energy assessments and capital retrofits to save Alberta-based industrial and manufacturing facilities money on their energy bills. It will also provide energy management training, knowledge sharing and technical support.

Thanks in part to $10 million in TIER funding delivered through Emissions Reduction Alberta, Lafarge Canada has opened a cutting-edge Low-Carbon Fuel Facility that will replace up to 50 per cent of the natural gas it uses with low-carbon fuel from construction demolition waste. This will keep up to 120,000 tons of construction and demolition materials out of landfills and produce up to 30,000 fewer tons of emissions.

“The Tire-Derived Fuel Pilot program is another step in resource recovery. We appreciate the support from the Government of Alberta and industry partners like Lafarge Canada, enabling us to explore innovative recycling technologies to assess its viability. This pilot initiative not only addresses near-term tire stockpile reduction needs from our Tire Recycling Program, but also brings the potential to further boost economic opportunities across the province.” Ed Gugenheimer, president and CEO, Alberta Recycling Management Authority, said.

© Scrap Tire News, November 2024