Holcim Liban to process pharmaceutical waste

Deal with Environment Ministry
and pharmaceutical importers

Cement manufacturer Holcim Liban was granted an exclusive permit from the Ministry of Environment (MoE) to process pharmaceutical waste in its cement kiln.

Jamil Bouharoun, Business Development Director at Holcim, said: “In its first stage this permit allows Holcim to dispose of pharmaceutical wastes, it will be able to process municipal wastes at a later stage.” Holcim will use its equipment and knowhow to offer waste management solutions at its facilities without increasing harmful emissions.

The permit follows the three-day successful test held in October 2012 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Holcim Liban, the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), the consultancy firm APAVE Liban, and the Lebanese Pharmaceutical Importers Association (LPIA). APAVE’s report on the results of the test indicated that the atmospheric emissions measured at the kiln during the pilot test did not impact the standard levels. Holcim will submit quarterly progress reports to the MoE.

The estimated amount of pharmaceutical waste to be processed each year is 300 tons, according to theMoPH. Bouharoun said: “The cost of the processing has not been decided yet, but the fees will likely be covered by pharmaceuticals importers.”

According to Bouharoun, some 90 percent of municipal wastes are disposed through landfills: “With its available equipment, Holcim can treat about 25 percent of these wastes, while the other part will be recycled.”

Solid waste processing requires very high temperatures. “Kilns at cement factories are adequate for this operation as they can reach up to 2,000 degrees Celsius,” Bouharoun said. He said cement factories should invest in machines that feed waste to the kilns without leaving an impact on the quality of cement. “Holcim is a leader in this field because it uses these techniques in its international outlets,” Bouharoun said.