In the next 10 years “Elektroprivreda
Srbije” will sell 30 million tons of ash to leaders in the production of
building materials - a consortium consisting of “Lafarge Srbija” and “Elixir
Group”, as well as the company “Moravacem”. Today's signing of these two
contracts is of great importance from the aspect of introducing the principles
of circular economy not only in EPS, but also in Serbia.
- Twenty million tons of
ash from the “Nikola Tesla B” thermal
power plant has been contracted with a consortium “Lafarge” and „Elixir Group”,
and 10 million tons of ash from the Branch “TE-KO Kostolac” with the company “Moravacem”.
In this way, together with partner companies, we are setting an example of good
practice that improves the field of environmental protection and introduces the
principle of circular economy into our business. Our partners will invest in
equipment to improve the capacity for taking over and loading ash, which will
then remain the property of EPS. At the same time, we will also responsibly
influence the costs related to ash disposal. “Elektroprivreda Srbije” generates
6 to 7 million tons of ash annually, and only 5 to 6% of the total produced
quantity is placed on the Serbian market, and the majority is disposed of in
ash and slag dump sites that operate within “Elektroprivreda Srbije”, and as
such has the status of non-hazardous waste – said Dušan Živković, general
Manager of EPS.
Živković also
pointed out that thanks to new production technologies, ash can now rightly be
seen as a valuable resource and offers the opportunity to permanently dispose
of it in new construction products.
- We are
proud to be part of such a consortium and this strategically important decision
of EPS, because the joint action of large industrial actors has immeasurable
importance not only for the “Elektroprivreda Srbije” and the
disposal of by-products, but also for the wider community in terms of
environmental impact. In this way, EPS will directly reduce the amount of ash
it disposes of in ash dumps and thus contribute to reducing the negative impact
on soil, water and air, but also achieve savings on ash disposal costs.
Considering the use of ash as a raw material, in order to reduce the
exploitation of natural raw materials, is one of the key postulates of the
circular economy, and for the company “Lafarge Srbija” as a leader in
industrial decarbonization, it goes without saying that we will always support
such initiatives in the hope that together we will build progress for people
and the planet in the years ahead,” - said Dimitrije Knjeginjić, General
Manager of company “Lafarge Srbija”.
- The building materials
industry plays a key role in creating a circular economy. In the company “Moravacem”,
As a member of the CRH Group, we are committed to developing circular, low-CO2
solutions for our customers. The implementation of this agreement will have a
significant positive impact not only on the natural environment and the local community
but will also contribute to the creation of additional value for participants
in the supply chain. This strategic partnership with “Elektroprivreda Srbije” will allow us to reduce the
CO2 footprint of the materials we produce, collaborating and innovating to
improve the way we build our world," - said Siniša Mauhar, General
Manager of company Moravacem.
The contract signing
ceremony was attended by Jovana Joksimović, Assistant Minister of Mining and
Energy for International Cooperation, European Integration and Project
Management, and Sara Pavkov, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment.
The sale of ash under these contracts will be carried out subject to the
fulfilment of certain conditions, including obtaining a REACH number for ash
and the construction and commissioning of ash collection equipment.
