Page 34 - Hub-4 Magazine Issue 65

Longcliffe on track to meet zero- carbon targets with CDE support
Independent, family-owned business Longcliffe Quarries is fast approaching its milestone centenary celebrations. By 2027, it hopes to achieve zero-carbon quarrying operations - it has committed to a series of ambitious sustainability targets and has partnered with CDE to help realise its environmental objectives and strengthen its position as a champion of sustainability in the UK’s quarrying sector.
Founded in 1927, Longcliffe Quarries is the largest independent supplier of calcium carbonates in the UK, producing over one million tonnes of high-quality calcium carbonate powders and granules every year.
Calcium carbonate forms the basis of many everyday products. Managing Director Viv Russell says the company produces over 100 products for a vast range of “critical industries”. Calcium carbonate products are vital components in animal and pet foods. Its powders and granules are also supplied into the glass, plastics, and pharmaceutical industries and many more. Sealants – or cure activators – produced by Longcliffe Quarries are used in fluoroelastomer docking seals on the International Space Station.
Stewards of the environment
In pursuit of its environmental commitments, the business sought to address the high volumes of waste generated at Brassington Moor quarry.
The business had historically discarded its quarry by-product, material described as having a higher clay content. But feasibility studies and material testing to demonstrate market demand for products recovered from this stream highlighted the potential to realise its commercial objectives without sacrificing its sustainability credentials.
David Kinloch, CDE’s regional manager in the UK and Ireland, says the partnership with Longcliffe Quarries began several years ago.
“Following intensive testing in our lab we demonstrated through on-site plant trails how CDE could process Longcliffe’s by-product into a very clean and high-value revenue stream. After a procurement process CDE proved its technical capability and workshops were launched in partnership with Longcliffe to co-design what would eventually becomes its first-ever wet processing plant.”
CDE operates a unique co-design approach which involves working closely with its customers to design customised wet processing solutions tailored to meet their specified commercial and environmental objectives.
He added this design process included integrating the plant into the existing set-up at Brassington Moor quarry.
“One of the more unique aspects of this particular plant was how it integrated with Longcliffe’s existing primary crushing set-up. We introduced overland belt conveyors to charter product to the CDE wet processing plant.”
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www.hub-4.com Nov/Dec 20 - Issue 65