Holcim launching low-carbon fly ash in Western Canada

Key Takeaways:

• Global building materials supplier Holcim is introducing ECOAsh starting in Western Canada.
• It is a specification-grade Type F fly ash reclaimed from landfills and transformed into a resource for enhancing cement and concrete construction applications.
• ECOAsh is produced using advanced beneficiation technology and proprietary techniques to mine the landfill ash, remove moisture, mill the material, and remove excess carbon.
• As the region shifts away from coal-fired power plants continues, addressing challenges related to sourcing reliable fly ash supplies prompts the exploration of harvesting and beneficiating legacy landfilled ash as a viable replacement, said officials.

The Whole Story:

Holcim North America is rolling out ECOAsh beneficiated ash into its Lafarge Western Canada operations, its first application of the product globally. 

With plans for future expansion into the U.S., Holcim stated that the move demonstrates its dedication to sustainability but also positions the company as an early adopter of innovative technology aimed at decarbonizing the construction industry.

Holcim explained that ECOAsh stands as a high-quality, specification-grade Type F fly ash reclaimed from landfills and transformed into a resource for enhancing cement and concrete construction applications.

“As we continue to build to support growing population demands, the integration of circular building materials such as ECOAsh plays a crucial role in driving our portfolio towards a more sustainable future,” said Toufic Tabbara, Holcim regional head, North America. “By embracing these strategies, we not only provide essential building materials but also establish the foundation for building greener and smarter cities while shaping the trajectory of our industry for generations to come.”

Officials explained that fly ash, known for being a byproduct of coal-fired power plant operations, is extensively used as a supplementary cementitious material. In addition to its performance and economic advantages, fly ash use is beneficial to the environment because it recycles an industrial byproduct and can reduce the carbon footprint of construction materials. 

Holcim noted that as the shift away from coal-fired power plants continues, addressing challenges related to sourcing reliable fly ash supplies prompts the exploration of harvesting and beneficiating legacy landfilled ash as a viable replacement.

“The transformation of landfill materials into high-value fly ash for sustainable building presents an exciting opportunity for our customers and us to build more with less and work towards a net-zero future,” said Brad Kohl, president and CEO of Lafarge, Western Canada. “At Holcim, we are fully dedicated to meeting future market demands by harnessing and enhancing extensive fly ash reserves secured through well-established, long-term sourcing agreements with electric utilities.”

Following extensive landfill ash evaluations, Holcim North America and Geocycle North America’s new state-of-the-art processing facility in Alberta—the first of its kind within Holcim’s global operations—will use advanced beneficiation technology and proprietary techniques to produce fly ash with equivalent performance and more consistent quality compared to any freshly produced Type F fly ash commercially available. The ECOAsh then undergoes rigorous testing in the plant’s certified quality-assurance laboratories to ensure it meets or exceeds regulatory standards for cement and concrete applications.

ECOAsh can be used in a wide range of construction applications, from general buildings to specialized projects like dams and piers. Its ability to improve concrete’s durability and strength makes it suitable for numerous structural components, including foundations, columns, beams, walls, driveways, and walkways.

Commissioned in February, the new ECOAsh processing facility will commence production and the supply of products to customers throughout Western Canada in the first quarter