Residents living near a large cement factory in Adelaide are concerned the owner is looking to burn more plastic as a fuel to replace natural gas.
Adbri, formerly known as Adelaide Brighton Cement, burns what it calls ‘waste-derived fuel’ (RDF) in Birkenhead, near the Port of Adelaide, as part of its cement manufacturing process.
However, local lawmakers plan to introduce a motion at tonight’s meeting to send a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and South Carolina Environment Secretary Emily Burke asking Congress to express opposition to Adobri increasing the amount of RDF it burns at its plants and increasing the proportion of plastic in its fuel.
Port Adelaide Enfield councilor Peter McGregor also opposes attempts to change fuels that would result in less natural gas being used in cement production.
“Adbri has used trash-derived fuel in the past, which is trash, and currently that fuel has 20 per cent plastic, but what they are now proposing is to use more RDF and increase the plastic in other parts of the plant,” he told 891 ABC Adelaide.
“The issue that concerns us and our community is that this plant started production in 1914 and is right next door to our community.
“If you throw a rock across the road, it might hit a house.”
An Adbri spokesperson said in a statement that the company was hosting information sessions and encouraging the local community to “provide feedback on the proposed trials to further reduce fossil fuel use” at its Birkenhead facility.
“If this trial is approved by the EPA, it will provide valuable data that will enable Adbri to explore further opportunities on how Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) may be used as an alternative to natural gas at Adbri Birkenhead in the future,” they said.
fuel instead of landfill
According to Adbri’s website, the RDF it uses is made from waste from the construction and demolition industry that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.
The company said it was considering replacing natural gas with RDF at Birkenhead.
Adbri’s current license with the EPA allows it to burn 32 tons of RDF per hour.
RDF can only contain 20 percent plastic pollution by weight.
McGregor said the proposal is to increase the amount of plastic in RDF to 50 percent, although the EPA has not confirmed this.
Port Adelaide Enfield City Councilor Peter McGregor. (Provided by: Enfield, Port Adelaide)
Cr McGregor said he had heard from Mr Adbri that RDF burned cleanly under “optimal operating conditions”.
“But I think the problem is if something is not optimal, that’s a concern,” he said.
An EPA spokesperson told ABC that Adbri has had permission to use RDF as a natural gas replacement at its plants since 2003.
“EPA is aware that Adbri is currently consulting with local communities regarding the proposed use of RDF in kilns and is identifying alternative suppliers of RDF to kilns,” the spokesperson said.
“Adbri has submitted a proposal to test RDF in its own kilns. This proposal is being evaluated by EPA according to EPA standards for the manufacture and use of RDF.”
“EPA’s primary focus is to ensure that the proposed tests are conducted safely and properly evaluated against required outcomes such as process stability, emissions, uniformity, and RDF compatibility.
“EPA will consider feedback and questions from the community in its evaluation of the proposed test.”
Adbri says on its website that by using RDF, 200,000 tons of waste is diverted from landfills each year. (Provided by: Adbri)
Concerned about the impact on health
Largs Bay resident Melanie Carter attended a community meeting held regarding Adbri’s proposed trial.
She said it was a big concern for the local community, who can smell and sometimes see the fumes from the factory.
“This news, which we had no preparation for and we had very little time to comment on, is a huge blow to the whole concept of clean energy,” Carter said.
“This is not a clean fuel.”
She said the health impact on local residents needs to be monitored.
“If this is approved, as far as I know, any approved trial must be accompanied by an independent medical report,” she said.
Adbri was acquired by Irish building materials company CRH in 2024.
