Fives, one of IFRF’s leading industrial organisations and Preferred Research Partner (PRP) network member, is supporting Holcim in its energy transition and the decarbonisation of its production processes. Holcim are a leading European cement manufacturer and as reported previously by IFRF have ambitious plans to decarbonise their cement manufacturing processes by 2030.

As part of this transition, Fives has carried out hydrogen tests with Holcim at their La Malle site in France. In the first trials, injection rates of more than 50% have been achieved. With the remaining fuel mix from biogenic and other alternative sources, the kiln was fully powered with carbon-neutral fuels. Fives Pillard provided the injection nozzle and gas gantry, which enables high hydrogen substitution rates, significantly increasing the rate of use of alternative fuels while maintaining the same quality of cement produced. This included the supply of a digital model to industrialise the process which uses fluid mechanics that makes it possible to adapt this process to the site specific conditions of each cement plant.

The La Malle factory in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France supplies the regional market and has a cement production capacity of 0.7 Mt/y. It is a leading plant in low carbon cements with a clay calcining line, using Holcim’s proprietary ProximA Tech technology. 

With more than 40 years of low NOx experience and with hydrogen content fuels, Fives Pillard has one of the largest range of industrial burners, including capability to burn 100% hydrogen as well as blends of hydrogen with other fuels. The experience is based on Fives’ hydrogen technology test facilities in Piacenza, Italy which forms part of their offering via the IFRF PRP, and Cleveland Ohio, USA with hydrogen burners and corresponding furnaces.