- In November 2024, ACC and Ambuja Cements announced the launch of two advanced facilities aimed at sustainable waste management—the Ambuja Marwar Pre-processing and Co-processing Facility and the ACC Jamul Co-processing Facility. Developed by their waste management division Geoclean, the Ambuja Marwar facility alone can process up to 220,000 tons of waste into alternative fuels. This milestone highlights their commitment to resource efficiency and environmental stewardship in the cement sector
- In October 2024, ABB signed a memorandum of understanding with U.K.-based climate tech firm Carbon Re to develop integrated digital solutions for cement decarbonisation. The partnership aims to enhance energy efficiency by up to 5% and boost alternative fuel usage by 50% by automating and optimizing kiln conditions. This collaboration signifies a progressive step toward smarter, greener cement production processes
- In September 2024, Bolivia’s Sociedad Boliviana de Cemento (Soboce) initiated a pilot project at its Viacha cement plant to co-process discarded electronic and electrical waste into alternative fuel. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Water, involves repurposing 133 tons of material, including plastics with brominated flame retardants. This pilot reflects growing innovation in using complex waste streams to power cement production sustainably
- In August 2023, GEOCYCLE, a subsidiary of the HOLCIM Group, expanded its waste-processing capabilities for cement kiln fuel through a closed-loop recycling system. This move is intended to reduce both emissions and logistical costs by keeping waste management operations localized. The expansion reinforces HOLCIM’s commitment to circular economy principles and carbon footprint reduction
- In June 2023, Suez Cement invested USD 16 million to upgrade its facilities for alternative fuel usage across its Helwan, Kattameya, and Suez cement plants. In addition, the company allocated USD 60 million to dust control and USD 25 million to building a waste heat recovery (WHR) plant at Helwan. These cumulative investments underline Suez Cement’s strategy to achieve cleaner, more energy-efficient operations
- In December 2022, Heidelberg Materials reported reaching a fossil fuel substitution rate of over 60% in its European operations by leveraging alternative fuels such as refuse-derived fuel (RDF), biomass, and industrial waste. This milestone showcases Heidelberg's leadership in sustainable cement production and sets a benchmark for decarbonisation in the industry
