Fuel

Traditionally fossil fuels such as hard coal, oil and gas are used to provide thermal energy for clinker production. In line with Ohorongo’s commitment to a sustainable future, the replacement of fossil fuels is a crucial element of Ohorongo’s strategy. A significant portion of the fossil fuel is already substituted with alternative fuels such as wood chips, charcoal fines and refuse derived fuel (RDF).

All fuels are sourced and manufatured in Namibia, meanwhile all fossil fuels must be imported into Namibia. Hence the substitution of fossil fuels with alternative fuels reliefs Namibia's trade balance, and creates local workplaces. Sice the CO2 emissions of alternative fuels are recognized (partially) as neutral, Ohorongo has one of the lowest carbon footprints per ton of cement produced in the global cement industry.

Wood chips and charcoal fines are derived from encroacher bushes in Namibia and directly support the national efforts to restore the farmland, lifting the watertable and increasing the productivity of commercial and communal farms. As more than 30 Mio. hectares are recognized as encroached by bush, these fuels are seen as sustainable.

RDF is derived from hand-selected household and commercial refuse stream fractions. The material used cannot be recycled and has been sent to landfills before. Due to this initiative less waste is added to the landfills, hence emissions and pollution are reduced and additional jobs are created.