ANTEA Cement supported the organization of the first International Conference on Green Energy and Environmental Science in Albania hosted by the Agriculture University of Tirana on the 1st and 2nd of December 2014. In the first day of the conference, around 140 professors, project managers, business representatives and students attended the plenary sessions following the welcome speeches of Minister of Environment, Mr. Lefter Koka, Rector of University of Agriculture, Mr. Fatos Harizaj as well as Dean of Department of Environment, Mr. Fatbardh Sallaku and representative of ANTEA Cement, Mr. Jani Barka.
The main focus of the conference among others was the sustainable energy systems as well as the conversion of waste to energy, a thesis strongly supported by ANTEA Cement through the presentation of Ms. Stela Pepa, Environment Manager at this company. Cement kilns typically burn fossil fuels, which are non-renewable and being depleted rapidly. Treating wastes in cement kilns, known as co-processing, can reduce the industry’s reliance on fossil fuels and decrease associated CO2 emissions. Co-processing Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in cement kilns has multiple benefits in addition to waste management, because it saves fuel costs, avoids negative impacts of waste incineration and land filling, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, conserves nonrenewable fossil fuels and protecting the environment, integrates waste ash into clinker, which saves raw materials, and avoids new investment in incinerators or landfill facilities.
In the second day of the conference, a group of international and Albanian Universities, organizations and institutions’ staff paid a visit at ANTEA Cement’ premises where they were presented with our environmental performance and especially quarry rehabilitation process