United Nations

The project consists of switching from fossil fuel oil which has a high carbon emission factor and therefore a high global warming potential to a renewable biomass (charcoal fines) at the industrial plant. Rima has 5 eucalyptus and pinus plantations within 250 km covering 40,000 ha where the charcoal is produced in pyrolysis ovens designed by Rima’s technical staff. These ovens are continuously operated and improved in order to enhance efficiency and process.

At the industrial plant, the charcoal passes through sieves to separate the fines from material with the proper size to produce metallic silicon and ferro- alloys. This plant produces metallic magnesium and alloys, both as lingots and powder and auto parts. These plants have reduction furnaces that use charcoal as a reducing agent. More than three quarters of the charcoal consumed in these plants is produced in Rima’s sustainably managed forests.

Contribution of the project activity to sustainable development

The contributions of project activity towards sustainable development are explained with indicators like contributions to social, economic, environmental, and technological well-being aspects as follows:

Social Well-being:

• The project creates social benefits related to improvement of labor conditions.

Economic Well-being:

• The project increases local job opportunities by additional manpower and creates work opportunities by stimulating sustainable management of existing forests in the region.

 Environmental Well-being:

• The project contributes to local environmental sustainability since it decreases the use of fuel oil.

Technological Well-being:

• The project contributes to technology and capacity development as new kiln burners and process control specifications are being put in place for the new fuel.

For more information on this project, please click here

For more information on the social benefits of the project, please click here