Report | 22 April 2016 | VTI-code: 8-2016
Today in Sweden, biofuels and waste are the main fuels for the production of district heating and contributes to production of electricity. During combustion of biofuels and waste, it is also generates residues, so-called energy ashes. Large parts of the ashes have in original form or after sorting and processing good properties for construction purposes. Current use of energy ashes in Sweden are mainly as construction materials within the waste facilities as coverage of old waste dumps.. However, the need is decreasing as the coverage of many waste dump sites are about to be completed within the next 5–6 years. Therefore, there is a need for new applications for energy ashes. To deposit the ashes is a bad management of resources. Many ash producers have instead the ambition to use energy ashes for structures in society, such as in roads, parking lots and other fixed construction purposes. By using energy ashes for constructions and thus replacing virgin raw materials, the energy and waste system become more sustainable. This is an important factor for all the parts involved and shows concretely how circular economy can be created. Unless other disposal options evolve the cost will increase dramatically for ash management which stresses energy producers and ultimately also the end customer.