Fly ash from Jyväskylä power plants is recycled as an ingredient in cement

Photo: Tiia Monto. The Keljonlahti wood chip power plant has been grinding district heating and electricity for Jyväskylä since 2010.

Energy company Alva and Finnsementti have signed a new agreement that ensures the utilization of fly ash generated at the Rauhalahti and Keljonlahti power plants in Jyväskylä in cement production.

Collaboration is a continuation Alvan, formerly Jyväskylän Energia, for its long-term work in developing the utilization of fly ash.

Fly ash is generated as a side stream of energy production. Finncement uses ash as part of the production of clinker. Clinker is the main ingredient in cement, which is created by heating limestone and clay.

Ash reduces the need for virgin raw materials.

"Efficient utilization of fly ash is part of Alva's future sustainable business. By making fly ash available as a raw material, we avoid unnecessary waste and concretely promote a circular economy throughout the value chain," says Alva's Energy Production Operations Manager. Janne Hakonen.

“Circular economy at its best”

For Finnsement, utilizing bio-based fly ash introduces a new raw material alongside others and diversifies the raw material base for production.

At the same time, it supports a production model based on a circular economy, in which the clinker manufacturing process is an efficient whole and the materials are fully utilized as part of the final product without separate waste fractions and harmful emissions.

"Utilizing fly ash in cement production is circular economy at its best. These recycled materials provide good raw materials for long-lasting concrete structures," says Finnsement's Head of Sustainability Ursula Translate.

Text: Uusiuutisten editorial team

Photo: Tiia Monto. The Keljonlahti wood chip power plant has been grinding district heating and electricity for Jyväskylä since 2010.

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