Aug 18 2006
An open tender has been launched by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) inviting bids which will explore the potential for recycled gypsum - recovered from waste plasterboard - to be used as a feasible and commercially viable alternative to conventional sources of gypsum in the manufacture of cement.
WRAP’s Plasterboard programme began in April 2005 with the remit of developing a number of initiatives aimed at supporting the segregation, collection and reprocessing of used plasterboard, and the development of end-market uses for the resulting recycled gypsum.
It is anticipated that this latest project will be achieved by experimental development, leading to full-scale operational trials in a typical cement production environment. It is further expected that the work will include the following key elements:
background research of technical and policy aspects to identify all barriers (real and perceived) to the use of recycled gypsum in cement manufacture;
design, proposal, and development of solutions to all identified barriers;
undertaking production scale trials of recycled gypsum in cement manufacture, including performance testing and analysis of the cement to demonstrate commercial suitability and viability;
environmental, economic, market, and any other relevant assessments and analyses, to specifically include savings in carbon emissions;
presentation of the project work and results in formal technical reports, and a case study; and
the contribution, as required, to WRAP-produced promotional literature and dissemination events.
Julian Cope, Materials Project Manager for Plasterboard at WRAP, said: “We are already running a number of trials looking at different end uses for recycled plasterboard, and have been impressed by the quality of gypsum derived during reprocessing. We have every confidence that the cement sector will likewise find this an attractive and competitive alternative to natural gypsum, and look forward to receiving some high quality tenders.”