With the aim of converting expired tyres to fuel that can be used in cement production operations, the Oman Environmental Services Holding Company (Be’ah) has signed an agreement with Oman Cement Company.

As per the pact which was signed at Oman Cement headquarters, Be’ah will supply expired tyres.

The agreement was signed by Eng Tariq bin Ali al Amri, CEO of Be’ah, and Eng Salem bin Abdullah al Hajri, CEO of Oman Cement Company.

With regard to the objectives of the agreement, Eng Amri said, “This agreement seeks to achieve Be’ah’s strategy by adopting practices that ensure sustainable waste management, as well as, reinforcing the circular economy by making the most from the materials that are required to be disposed, and by recovering their value whether in energy production, or extracting raw materials and finding added value.”

He emphasised that the move targets conserving and sustaining the environment for future generations.

Eng Hajri said, “This agreement will achieve our strategic goals with regard to the diversification of energy sources and the use of other sources to convert fuel that will be used for cement production.”

Eng Hajri added that the agreement will contribute to the national economy and provide business opportunities for small and medium enterprises through the production and transportation of fuel from engineered landfills to the cement factory, where approximately 30,000 tonnes of expired tyres will be processed annually.

“The project includes positive dimensions in terms of using tyres as an alternative fuel and thus preserving the environment of the sultanate.”

Oman Cement Company has worked in cooperation with Be’ah during the past two years to study ways of cooperation between the two companies to take advantage of waste as an alternative fuel for natural gas that is currently used in the cement manufacturing furnaces at its factory which is located in Muscat.

The study proved that expired tyres are the best and the most suited waste stream for this purpose, and the easiest in terms of handling.

The study also concluded that the factory systems are ready to deal with gas emissions resulting from tyre burning operations without any damage to the surrounding environment. Several precautionary measures too have been proposed keeping in mind the safety and security of the environment.