British Lime Association’s Sustainable Development Report illustrates world leading performance of the lime sector
The British Lime Association (BLA) has published its 2019 Sustainable Development Report, highlighting that the sector maintained its impressive sustainability performance as UK production continued grew to more than 1.19million tonnes.
Following the launch of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) Charter in 2017, the BLA Sustainable Development Report now aligns with the seven MPA 'strategic priorities'. This report highlights the positive contribution made by the lime industry in 2018 to communicating industry value, health and safety, people, resource use, climate change and energy use, the natural environment and the built environment.
Exports from BLA Members reached new heights in 2018, exceeding 300,000tonnes. This is more than double the exports during the recession (around 140,000 tonnes in 2009) and accounts for over a quarter of the UK’s total lime output, which is used for construction, iron and steel, water treatment, emissions control, agriculture, food production, paper products, glass making, plastics and pharmaceuticals. But this massive increase in exports represents more than just bounce-back, it’s a real increase in export market share, exceeding pre-recession levels by around 40% (218,000 tonnes in 2006). And, the BLA estimates, the 2018 exports added more than £3million to the UK economy.
BLA Members are proud of the Health & Safety improvements they have implemented over recent years. By continuing to focus on Zero Harm and actively sharing and embedding best practice the number of incidents across all employees and contractors has reduced by 40% from 2011 levels, although 2018 did see an increase in lost time incidents compared with the low levels achieved in 2014. The BLA is taking active steps to address these issues.
The report highlights:
- 17% less CO2 emissions – decarbonisation from dolime combustion since 2011
- 76% less waste to landfill since 2011
- 40% fossil fuel replaced with alternative fuels in dolime manufacture
- 15% increase in exports since 2011 and 38% since 2006.
- Particulate, NOx and SO2 emissions 1,370 tonnes down on 2011
- Environmental - incident free. No Category 1 or 2 incidents.
Commenting on the sector performance, Dr Rebecca Hooper, Manager of the BLA, said: “Lime is an essential material for our daily lives and makes a significant contribution to the economy. We are proud to supply quality products to UK markets and overseas while maintaining world-leading environmental performance.
"We are pleased to be engaging with government and research institutions on our low carbon future. We value the people who work for us and are maintaining our focus on improving H&S issues. BLA members are an important source of jobs and we work closely with local communities, making an active contribution through formal volunteering and by encouraging informal staff-organised charitable activities.”