Ford waste transformed into fuel

Paint sludge used as alternative fuel

Ford Australia is aiming to halve the amount of paint sludge disposed to landfill. Working in conjunction with Australian waste specialist Geocycle, the paint sludge from Ford’s Broadmeadows facility is being used as an alternative source of fuel in the cement-making process.

The first shipment of sludge went to Geocycle’s processing facility in Dandenong, Melbourne, in August and shipments of around 10 tonnes a month continue to leave the Ford site.

The prescribed sludge is a by-product produced from the paint process at Ford’s Broadmeadows plant. It was previously all being transported off site for processing and eventual disposal to a licensed landfill.

Currently 56% of Ford Broadmeadows’ solid waste is recycled and 44% is disposed into landfill. Once the recycling program is fully implemented Ford Australia expects to halve the amount of paint sludge being disposed to landfill.

“Ford around the world is committed to initiatives aimed at providing a better environment for consumers,” Ford Australia President and CEO, Bob Graziano, said.

“Ford Australia is part of that process and we continue to seek out solutions with companies like Geocycle to minimise our impact on the environment.”

Chris Leon, Cement Australia CEO and Managing Director, said: “Through its wholly owned subsidiary Geocycle, Cement Australia has invested considerable time and resources into aligning its capabilities with the needs and strategies of industry and regulatory authorities.

“The commitment by Ford to work with Geocycle to achieve desirable environmental and business outcomes demonstrates that we are on the right path,” Leon said.

Geocycle is a waste specialist with a core business processing flammable and hazardous waste. It uses a ‘mega blender’ that separates organic waste from metal and turns it into useable fuel for a Cement Australia kiln.