Veolia joins forces with GM Holden and Blue Circle Southern Cement on integral resource recovery project.

29/10/08
This revolutionary project will reduce reliance on virgin sand materials and in turn, reduce waste to landfill rates for major manufacturers across Australia.

With many manufacturers facing increasing global pressures to increase productivity without increasing their carbon footprint, Veolia has been working closely with some of Australia’s most prolific manufacturers to develop mutually beneficial solutions, which reduce operational costs whilst allowing for increased yield and minimal environmentally liability.

In collaboration with GM Holden, Blue Circle Southern Cement and the Australian Sustainability Industry Research Centre, Veolia has established a waste foundry sand recovery project which will see over 10,000 tonnes of the waste material diverted from landfill annually.

The project, which has received support from Sustainability Victoria and appropriate EPA approvals, specifically involves pre-processing waste foundry sand from the automotive industry and directing it to cement kilns as a raw silica material in place of virgin mined sand. After 3 years of research and development, the first loads of the recovered silica material from GM Holden were delivered to Blue Circle Southern Cement in late September; a major achievement for all parties involved.

GM Holden’s Powertrain Lead Executive, Martyn Cray, said today the project was a success on many levels.

“As part of the ongoing commitment to minimise waste to landfill, GM Holden have been actively working with our Resources Manager – Veolia Environmental Services, Sustainability Victoria and Blue Circle Southern Cement to develop a beneficial reuse program for our foundry sand.

“After three years of research and development, the first load of our foundry sand went to Blue Circle in September. This program is not only an environmental milestone for GM Holden as waste to land fill is significantly reduced, it also has provided some financial benefits. This program is a real win –win for all companies and the community in general.”

The research and development component of the project was managed by CR Hudson and Associates on behalf of Veolia and commenced in 2005. In 2008, after a successful full scale trial was established within the Blue Circle Cement kiln at Waurn Ponds, Victoria, the project received full EPA approval. 

The project breaks new ground and provides reciprocal benefits for GM Holden, Blue Circle Southern Cement as well as the automotive and cement industries on whole, who will find long term benefits from this innovative resource recovery project.

“Veolia Environmental Services has worked closely with GM Holden and Blue Circle Southern Cement to identify an opportunity to reduce the reliance on raw materials, whilst recovering a viable resource in foundry sand. The project will provide ongoing benefits for both the cement and automotive industries and is testament to Veolia’s investment into ongoing research and development to provide technical and environmental innovation” Simon Tori, General Manager – Victoria, Veolia Environmental Services.

Media Enquiries:

Renee Fry – National Communications Manager, Veolia Environmental Services - 0409 459 245

Matt Stanelos – Business Development Manager, Veolia Environmental Services - 0418 338 638