lafarge signed prosperity agreement (1)

Lafarge Tarmac and Northern Ireland Environment Agency

Prosperity Agreement

5th March 2015


Key environment opportunities or challengesThe agreed joint aspirations encompass opportunities and challenges that both parties agree are key to developing a better way of working to improve business and environmental outcomes. These are expressed as five commitments:1. NIEA and Lafarge Tarmac will overcome

constraints and identify opportunities in our working relationship in order to deliver stronger economic and environmental outcomes.

2. NIEA and Lafarge Tarmac will work in partnership to recover valuable energy and minerals from waste for use in the cement making process.

3. NIEA will work with Lafarge Tarmac to make the trial and approval of raw materials (ARM’s) and waste derived fuels (WDF) more efficient.

4. Lafarge Tarmac will seek innovative solutions to improve production efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions, fossil fuel usage and reduce environmental harm.

5. Lafarge Tarmac will work with key stakeholders including the community to assess environmental risk and opportunities within the vicinity of Lafarge Tarmac Cookstown site.

Commitment Action Outcome

1. NIEA and Lafarge will overcome constraints and identify opportunities in our working relationship in order to deliver stronger economic and environmental outcomes.

1.1. Where possible NIEA will redirect resources away from bureaucratic processes that do not add value toward proactive activities that support business and environmental improvement.

(a) Fewer resources on processes that do not add business or environmental value.

(b) Regulatory visits and discussion will be focussed on strategic issues.

(c) Enhanced ‘regulator: business’ relationship.

2. NIEA and Lafarge will work in partnership to recover valuable energy and minerals from waste for use in the cement making process and other applications.

2.1. Lafarge Tarmac and NIEA will work with industry and research organisations to identify sustainable waste derived fuels and/or raw materials for use in the cement making process, and develop a list of viable options for Cookstown site.

(a) Lafarge Tarmac will have alternative fuels in use by the end of 2015.

(b) Reduced cost of production at Cookstown site.

(c) Reduced environmental impact from existing NI waste streams.

2.2. NIEA will work with Lafarge Tarmac to move cement kiln dust (CKD) and bypass dust (BPD) up the waste hierarchy to allow recovery and use as a resource with alternative applications.

Avoidance of landfill of excess material with mineral benefits, with potential for re-use in alternative applications such as lime replacement in agriculture, land stabilisation or construction filling.

A Better Environment, A Stronger Economy


3. NIEA will work with Lafarge Tarmac to make the trial and approval of alternative raw materials (ARM’s) and waste derived fuels (WDF) more efficient.

3.1. Implement Mineral Products Association (MPA) Code of Practice to ensure fast and effective transition to alternative fuels.

First UK industry permit granted to Lafarge Tarmac incorporating the MPA Code of Practice.

3.2. Lafarge Tarmac and NIEA will work with other UK environmental protection authorities to propose a simplified methodology for approval to monitor and report CO2 emissions from new waste streams.

Efficient reporting mechanism developed for new waste streams which complies with Greenhouse gas Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Regulations.

3.3. NIEA will facilitate trial new technologies that help improve business and environmental outcomes.

Innovation is made easier and appropriate new technologies are available for industry-wide implementation.

4. Lafarge Tarmac will seek innovative solutions to improve production efficiency, reduce CO2 emissions and reduce environmental harm.

4.1. Lafarge Tarmac will draw on their global network experience to reduce energy/fuel costs, waste production and reduce CO2 emissions from NI operations.

Enhanced production efficiency at Lafarge Tarmac (Cookstown) will:- reduce emissions to air by 10%,- decreasing reliance on fossil fuels

by up to 35%,- increase production, and- minimise the amount of waste

disposed to landfill or illegally deposited

4.2. Lafarge Tarmac will work with NIEA to examine options to reduce emissions from transport (including haulage, supply chain and staff).

(a) Target developed for reduction in emissions from transport in Lafarge Tarmac NI operations by the end of 2015.

(b) Contribution to NI strategic low-carbon transport plan.

4.3. Lafarge Tarmac will work with NIEA to examine options for reducing packaging (including in partnership with AFBI, QUB/QUESTOR and construction sector).

Reduction in waste packaging and/or packaging costs.

4.4. Lafarge Tarmac will work with key stakeholders (e.g. Invest NI) to develop renewable energy strategy with support from NIEA.

(a) Implementation of Invest NI audit recommendations and Best Available Technology (BAT).

(b) Energy metering on site to drive innovation and investment in energy efficiency implemented by end of 2015



4.5. Lafarge Tarmac will work in partnership with NIEA to promote examples of environmental best practice across mineral sector in Northern Ireland.

(a) Increased sector wide understanding of the environmental opportunities and their associated economic benefits.

(b) Fewer compliance issues across mineral sector in NI.

5. Lafarge Tarmac will work with key stakeholders including the community to assess environmental risk and opportunities within the vicinity of Lafarge Tarmac Cookstown site.

5.1. NIEA will complete a review of the Lafarge Tarmac Cookstown site impact on the nearby Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Minimal operational impact on SAC through the implementation of findings.

5.2. NIEA will work with Lafarge Tarmac to conduct a review of geological Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) within the Cookstown site and where possible improve supervised public access to the ASSI.

(a) Status report for the Ballysudden ASSI with recommendations for future management.

(b) Retain as appropriate in Lafarge quarry plan, key geological features for which the site has been designated an ASSI.

(c) Greater public understanding and access to the key geological features associated with the ASSI.

5.3. Lafarge Tarmac will work with NIEA and partners (e.g. Rivers Agency, ClimateNI, RSPB) to examine options to contribute to Upper Ballinderry River catchment management and wider biodiversity.

(a) Improved biodiversity and habitats for identified species (e.g. raptors and pollinators).

(b) Business engagement in flood risk and climate change mitigation in the local area.

5.4. Lafarge will complete local environmental surveys and champion the communication of results.

Better understanding and engagement by local community in Cookstown site operations and input to improve existing initiatives.

5.5. Lafarge will ensure that routine and mandatory reporting is available via company micro websites.

Cookstown micro website first in group to make periodical operational reports and returns publically available improving transparency and openness.

A Better Environment, A Stronger Economy

Parties to the AgreementLafarge TarmacOn 7 January 2013, Lafarge Tarmac was formed when Lafarge and Tarmac joined forces to create the ultimate construction products solution provider. This was an important milestone in our company’s 150 year history.

Our vision is: ‘to be our customers’ preferred choice for sustainable construction solutions’.

Our values will help us build on the combined strengths of our legacy companies – our assets, our people and our products – and create something even stronger.

• Safe:Wealwaysputsafetyandhealthfirst

• Committedtoourcustomers:Wecommittodelivering value for our customers every day

• Passionateaboutsuccess:Wearepassionateabout our business, set ambitious targets and drive to exceed them

• Fastandflexible:Weactwithanappropriatebalance of speed and rigour

• Oneteam:Wearealloneteam

• Trustandrespect:Weextendandearntrustandrespect.

NIEA The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) is an Agency within the Department of Environment (DoE) with approximately 650 staff. The Agency is part of the wider Environment and Marine Group (EMG) in DoE. The NIEA leads in advising on, and in implementing, the Government’s environmental policy and strategy in Northern Ireland. Divisions within the NIEA undertake a range of activities that promote the Government’s key themes of sustainable development, biodiversity and climate change.

The Strategic Objective of the NIEA is, ‘To create prosperity and well-being through environment and heritage excellence.’ The Operating Principles are:

1. We will make it easy for people to do good business and difficult for people to do bad business.

2. We will help create a resource efficient Northern Ireland.

3. We will help people see our environment and heritage as an opportunity, not a barrier.

4. We will be a customer-focused and people-centred organisation.

Background informationProsperity Agreements are voluntary agreements through which the NIEA and an organisation or a group of organisations can explore new creative ways of reducing environment and heritage impacts in ways that create prosperity and well-being.

This Prosperity Agreement is between the NIEA and Lafarge Tarmac UK. It aims to, through a stronger partnership between the parties, tackle environmental and economic problems facing Northern Ireland and capitalise on opportunities.

Governance arrangementsLife of the AgreementThe parties have agreed that this Prosperity Agreement will operate for a period of four years from the date of this Agreement.

Party stakeholders For the purpose of this Agreement, stakeholders include Lafarge Tarmac employees, Lafarge Tarmac Group (UK), NGOs (e.g. RSPB), the Northern Ireland community, NIEA employees, and other government agencies, such as Rivers Agency and Invest NI.


Management of the AgreementThe following framework for decision making and management of the agreement has been approved by the two signature parties. The Prosperity Agreement working group will include a NIEA Director, the Lafarge Tarmac Contact Point and relevant staff from both parties.

The working group is responsible for:

• Endorsinganddirectingimplementationaction

• Reviewingimplementationprogress

• Ensuringappropriateresourcingandsupportfor resourcing

• Interactingwiththeirrespectiveorganisationsand party stakeholders

• Reportingandmakingrecommendationsonthe progress of the agreement to both parties.

This Agreement and progress reports will be made available to the public on the NIEA website. Both parties are accountable and responsible for the commitments made in this Agreement.

Both parties reserve the right to withdraw from this Prosperity Agreement if they believe the Agreement is no longer effectively promoting the joint aspirations, or if significant compliance issues arise at Lafarge Tarmac. In the event that a withdrawal or termination looks likely, both parties agree to initiate discussions about why this might occur.

Review and reportingThe parties have agreed to the following review and reporting framework. The working group will meet on a quarterly basis for the first year to review progress on implementing commitments. The following years will operate on a bi-annual meeting schedule.

The working group will assess progress against commitments and outcomes agreed annually. This review will also identify areas of focus for the following year and possible amendments to the Agreement. Progress and results will be reported to the Lafarge Tarmac Board and NIEA Board and made available through the NIEA website. At the end of this Agreement the working group will undertake a full review of the outcomes of the Agreement. This review will assess the success of the Prosperity Agreement and measure deliverables against those identified.

Contact detailsSteven CastlesLafarge Tarmac UK Contact Point, NIEA Tel: 028 90569300Email: [email protected]

David ShentonSenior Environment Manager, Lafarge Tarmac UKT: 0771 207 7828E: [email protected]

If you are interested in Prosperity Agreements, contact: Heidi Hauf, Prosperity Agreements Programme Manager Northern Ireland Environment AgencyKlondyke BuildingCromac AvenueGasworks Business ParkBelfastBT7 2JA

T: 028 9056 9205E: [email protected] www.doeni.gov.uk/niea

Klondyke BuildingGasworks Business ParkCromac AvenueOrmeau RoadMalone LowerBelfastBT7 2JA

lafarge signed prosperity agreement (1)

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