Platin Works

Platin Cement Works

Irish Cement initially operated a cement works close to the town of Drogheda from 1938 until 1980. In 1972 a new dry process cement kiln, Kiln 1, was built at Platin, two miles south-west of Drogheda. The local availability of large deposits of the limestone and shale, easy access to rail transport and proximity to the Dublin market, make Platin an ideal location for cement manufacture.

In 1977 the capacity at Platin works was increased from 400,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes with the addition of Kiln 2. Platin Works incorporated many new developments in cement manufacture. It was the first dry process cement plant in the country and delivered a significant improvement in terms of energy efficiency, process control and automation.

In late 2008, ‘Kiln 3’ was commissioned at Platin, increasing annual capacity to 2.8 million tonnes. This €200 million investment is one of the most modern and energy efficient plants in the world.. The Kiln 3 line uses approximately 30% less energy than the Kiln 1 line which it replaced. As part of the investment, a new vertical roller mill was installed which allows Platin to maximise the addition of unburnt limestone in the production of CEM II cements, directly reducing the plant’s CO2 emissions.

A further reduction in CO2 emissions was achieved by replacing approximately 40% of the fossil fuels needed in the process. 120,000 tonnes of a new fuel, Solid Recovered Fuel, (SRF) made from non-recyclable waste is used annually in Kiln 3. As part of a policy of continuous investment and commitment to sustainability, Irish Cement are seeking the appropriate planning and licencing to allow for the expanded use of alternative fuels at Platin works.

Today, in addition to supplying the market in the northern and eastern parts of the country, Platin also serves export markets.