SIG: Alternative Fuel From Waste In Cement Production Solutions To Reduce Carbon Emissions

Semen Indonesia (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - PT Semen Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (SIG) utilizes alternative fuel from urban waste or refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in cement production. This helps overcome waste problems and solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

"The utilization of RDF in cement production not only helps in overcoming waste problems that often cause environmental and social problems, but is also a solution to reduce carbon emissions which is the cause of global warming and climate change," said SIG Corporate Secretary Vita Mahreyni quoting Antara.

The use of RDF is also said to help companies obtain alternative energy sources that are environmentally friendly and provide economic benefits in a sustainable manner through circular economic principles.

Therefore, SIG through its subsidiary PT Solusi Bangun Indonesia Tbk (SBI) collaborated with the Temanggung Regency Government (Pemkab) for three years in the use of RDF to overcome waste problems in Temanggung Regency, Central Java. The signing of a memorandum of understanding was carried out by the Manufacturing Director of SBI Soni Asrul Sani and the Acting Regent of Temanggung Hary Agung Prabowo.

The cooperation in utilizing RDF from the Integrated Waste Management Site (TPST) will be built in Sanggrahan Village, Temanggung Regency, with the support of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR).

Every day, the Sanggrahan TPST can produce 65 tons of RDF. Furthermore, the Temanggung Regency Government through the Sanggrahan TPST will send the RDF produced at the TPST to the SBI cement factory in Cilacap, Central Java to be used as an alternative fuel for coal substitution.

The cooperation between SBI and the Temanggung Regency Government in the utilization of RDF is a form of company support to local governments in waste management which is often a problem in various regions in Indonesia. This collaboration between industry players and local governments is important to do to create shared value (shared-values), as well as preserve the environment and reduce global warming and climate change whose impact has begun to be felt now," said Vita.

Waste management into RDF is carried out by the SBI business unit in the field of waste management, namely Natabumi with the co-processing method. This method works by making waste a supporting component or fuel for the cement production process in high temperatures, so that it does not leave residue and is more environmentally friendly.

The utilization of RDF in cement production is in line with two strategies in the GIS sustainability pillar, namely Protection Against Environment'' as stated in the GIS Sustainability Road Map, including utilization of renewable resources (based waste) as an alternative raw and fuel material, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"Cooperation with the Temanggung Regency Government in utilizing RDF is expected to increase the substitution of heat energy or thermal substitution rate (TSR) to support SIG in accelerating the achievement of the carbon scale 1 emission reduction target to 515 kg CO2/ton cement eq by 2030," he said.

Acting Regent of Temanggung, Hary Agung Prabowo said that SBI is the right partner for waste management needs in Temanggung.

Just like in various other regions in Indonesia, the waste problem is also a scourge in Temanggung. We hope that cooperation with SBI can help reduce the burden on TPA (End Disposal Site) and the results will be useful for cement companies such as SBI," said Hary.