By Briar Sinclair
AN ALTONA plasterboard manufacturer will trial a heat recovery system to cut its greenhouse pollution and water use.
Lafarge Plasterboard was awarded a $40,000 Sustainable Energy Authority grant from the State Government to boost the energy efficiency of the plasterboard drying process.
Heat and water from exhaust gases which currently escape into the atmosphere will be recovered and reused.
Lafarge Altona plant manager Paul Johnson said the company’s partnership with the Sustainable Energy Authority was part of a commitment to projects that made good business sense, helped save energy and water and helped reduce the impact on the environment.
“This project will boost Lafarge Plasterboard’s longterm future through reduced costs, improved productivity and more sustainable energy use,” Mr Johnson said.
“It’s exactly the kind of smart water and energysaving solutions that are good for the bottom line of Victorian business.”
Member for Altona Lynne Kosky said Lafarge could reduce its greenhouse pollution by 1600 tonnes.
This was the equivalent of removing 370 cars from Victoria’s roads and recycling about 13.2 million litres of water every year.
“It could save up to eight per cent of the site’s natural gas consumption, resulting in energy cost savings of up to $80,000 and water cost savings of $11,000 per year,” Ms Kosky said.
“Heat recovery is a wellknown and understood technology, however, its potential for significant energy gains hasn’t yet been realised by many Australian industries.
“This project is an excellent example of how Victorian businesses can take up opportunities to make major productivity gains by investing in readily available technologies.”
For more information contact the Sustainable Energy Authority on 1300 363 744.
