Environmental Groups Against Tire Burning at Cemex

Two environmental groups have come out against a plan use scrap tires to fuel a cement plant.

According to a report in the Dayton Daily News, the Greene Environmental Coalition and Parents Against Tire Burning are against the use of tire-derived fuel at Cemex’ Fairborn cement plant in Dayton because they say the fumes produced are toxic.

The environmental organizations say that they would prefer that the scrap tires be used to build athletic fields, roads and other products, according to the news report.

Cemex, which is based in Houston, says that tire-derived fuel will reduce the use of coal at its plant by 20 percent, saving $1 million annually, the Daily News reports.

Mike Blumenthal, senior technical director for the Rubber Manufacturers Association, Washington, tells the paper: “If it weren’t for the tire-derived fuel, this country would indeed have a scrap tire crisis. Tire-derived fuel is not the only market out there, but it is the biggest market. It is an important market.”