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Cement is a composite of synthetic minerals exhibiting hydraulic properties on mixing with water and is used to produce concrete and concrete products. The main material components of the cement are clinker, ground limestone and gypsum. The cement is manufactured in accordance with EN 197-1:2011 Cement. Composition, specifications and conformity criteria for common cements. The cement manufacturing process involves crushing, blending and melting, at extreme temperatures, local limestones, clays and shales. These materials provide the four basic ingredients that are essential for cement, Calcium, Silicon, Aluminium and Iron. In simple terms these essential ingredients are extracted from the raw materials and rearranged into clinker inside the high temperature cement kiln. Co-processing with the alternative fuel SRF (Solid Recovered Fuel) is an important part of the process to replace imported coal in combustion fuels and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Co-processing is the combination of simultaneous material recycling and energy recovery from waste in a thermal process, which results in replacing natural mineral resources and fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum products. This simultaneous process in the kiln sees the organic component of the waste products fuel the cement kiln, and the mineral elements of the waste become part of the cement clinker. This means that co-processing results in no leftover materials, like ash. As the clinker exits the kiln it is cooled and then stored on site. It is later ground in energy efficient mills with other materials to make the final cement products. CEM I Cement is made by blending clinker with small amounts of minor additional constituents i.e. limestone chips and gypsum, as well as a chromate-reducing agent. A grinding aid is also added to assist in the grinding process.
