Ohorongo Cement and Carbo Namibia sign a partnership agreement for Charcoal supply

Windhoek, Nov 20 – In its drive to continue supporting government initiatives, as well as the Growth At
Home policy, Ohorongo Cement partnered with local entrepreneur, Carbo Namibia, a
Namibian manufacturer and exporter of charcoal products.
Carbo Namibia is the biggest and one of eight charcoal suppliers to Ohorongo
Cement, therefore the decision by Ohorongo to assist Carbo in the procurement of a
80?3 side tipper to the value of approximately N$ 700 000. This would ensure
timeous delivery of higher volumes of charcoal fines to Ohorongo at reduced cost.
Ohorongo Cement is always looking for innovative energy saving initiatives to
minimize its carbon footprint, while supporting local entrepreneurs. Ohorongo initially
approached local charcoal producers within the Otjozondjupa region to procure
charcoal fines to utilize as alternative fuel. The fines are used in the production
process of cement to fire the Ohorongo kiln, which burns at temperatures exceeding
1500 degrees Celsius.
Prior to Ohorongo procuring the fines from the producers, it was essentially a waste
product to them, as it was not viable for export purposes at the time, leaving them
with huge unsightly heaps on site. Through their supply agreement with Ohorongo,
local charcoal suppliers can now get rid of a ‘waste product’, while creating
employment and additional income. At the same time, the quantities of coal imported
as fuel is reduced, and less local currency is spent on foreign markets.
Carbo Namibia is a local FSC registered company situated in Grootfontein, which
started operating on a small scale in 2005, and has since grown to a multi-
functioning manufacturing plant through practical partnerships similar to the one with
Ohorongo Cement.
This is a partnership that started in 2016, through the Ohorongo Energy for Future
(EFF) project, with an initial supply of 786 tons of charcoal fines per annum, and has
since grown to 5000 tons in 2018, with a total of 11 000 tons to date.
Ohorongo Cement operates one of the most environmentally friendly plants in the
world, with minimum air-, water- and noise pollution, and is also ISO 14001 certified.
In line with Ohorongo’s commitment to a sustainable future, the replacement of
traditional fuels with alternative fuels such as wood chips, refuse derived fuel (RDF)
and charcoal fines, are part of the company’s corporate strategy, and are pursued continuously. Currently Ohorongo uses 58% woodchips, 28% RDF and 14%
charcoal, with the total percentage alternative fuel usage to date being 42.7%, with a
target of 56% by 2020 and a long term target of 80%.
The procurement of the side tipper will ensure the transport of larger quantities per
load, reducing the total carbon footprint. It also results in less trucks on our roads,
which assists in reducing vehicle accidents, another important aspect for Ohorongo.
Ohorongo Cement regards the procurement of the side tipper as a shared
investment ensuring a mutually productive and valuable partnership.

NDN Staffer