Australia: Cement Australia has temporarily shut operations at its Railton plant as it upgrades its coal-fired kiln to accept alternative fuel sources such as used tyres and ‘sustainable’ wood waste, according to ABC News. The plant, located in north-west Tasmania, will stop production for an estimated 45 days to allow for the US$77.5m works, as the company moves to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels. However, conservationists are reportedly concerned over the source of the proposed wood waste, which would be either from plantation timber or native logging, and opponents have said that the move to wood chips as fuel could increase emissions.

In 2024, Cement Australia's CEO Rob Davies said that alternative fuels would make up 35% of the Railton plant's fuel use, with wood chips making up 30% and used tyres 5%. The company started using alternative fuels in 2008, and they now account for 15% of its fuel use. In 2024, the government announced US$38m in funding for the kiln's ‘Alternate Fuels Project,’ as part of the US$237m ‘Powering the Regions’ Fund, which is intended to help nine heavy industrial manufacturers to decarbonise. By switching to alternative fuels, Cement Australia expects to reduce coal use by 111,000t/yr, and reduce its CO₂ emissions by 105,000t/yr. In April 2026, Tasmania's Environment Protection Authority (EPA) gave the project the green light, but with strict conditions.

"The board determined that while the proposal would deliver an overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and dust generated at the site, further action is required in relation to existing nitrogen dioxide emissions," the EPA said in a statement. Conditions imposed relate to air pollutant emissions, noise from site operations and vehicle movements.

It is expected that after the shutdown from May-July 2026, Cement Australia will start operating with the new fuels.

Ireland: Ireland’s cement industry believes that it can reduce fossil fuel use by 90% over the next 15 years by increasing the use of solid recovered fuel (SRF) in kiln operations. A report commissioned by Cement Manufacturers Ireland (CMI), the lobby group that represents the industry, indicated that the cement sector used around 325,000t of SRF in 2024. The report was compiled by consultancy firm SLR, and states that Ireland’s four cement kilns rely on SRF, and that cement production accounts for 22% of residual waste treatment through the use of SRF.

The country has capacity to produce 430,000t of SRF, with potential to increase to 860,000t subject to investment and regulatory approvals. However, it warned that recycling targets and any downturn in cement production could reduce availability and demand for the fuel.

Chair of CMI David O’Brien said “The use of SRF contributes to reduced fossil fuel consumption, diverts waste from landfills, lowers greenhouse gas emissions and supports Ireland’s broader circular economy initiatives. To secure SRF as a sustainable long-term solution for Ireland’s cement sector, co-ordinated efforts are essential among government entities, the waste industry, cement manufacturers and academic institutions. Addressing legislative challenges, market fluctuations, and operational risks will be critical for the future success of SRF in decarbonising the cement industry.”

Residents close to Adbri’s Birkenhead cement plant near Adelaide, South Australia, have expressed concern about a potential increase in the amount of plastic being burned as an alternative fuel (AF) at the plant. City of Port Adelaide Enfield Councillor Peter McGregor has also announced his opposition.

"Adbri has used refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in the past. It currently contains 20% plastic. What they're proposing now is to use more RDF and increase the plastic in a separate part of their plant," said McGregor, who claimed that a new permit would allow the plant to use up to 50% plastic in its RDF. This has not been confirmed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

In a statement, Adbri said the company has hosted information sessions and has encouraged the local community ‘to provide feedback on proposed trials to further reduce fossil fuel usage’ at its Birkenhead facility. Adbri said that the RDF it uses is made from construction and demolition waste that would otherwise be sent to landfill and that the trial would take place in full compliance with EPA regulations.

China: KHD Humboldt Wedag has commissioned a Pyrorotor alternative fuels (AF) system on a 5000t/day production line at Conch Group’s Baoshan cement plant in Yunnan Province, the second deployment of the system in China. During commissioning, the Pyrorotor system processed high-moisture biomass and a mix of municipal solid waste, achieving a feed rate of 18t/hr while maintaining kiln stability. The kiln operated at higher rotational speeds to adapt to challenging fuel conditions, with no material build-up recorded at the inlet.

KHD Humboldt Wedag’s commissioning supervisor Timuçin Tuzcuoğlu said “The Pyrorotor unit handled the adverse fuel conditions without a problem,” adding that further improvements could be achieved with 'higher-quality fuels.'

Following commissioning, the Baoshan plant team plans to test additional biomass feedstocks, expand fuels preparation capacity and explore the use of externally-sourced AF. The plant will also showcase the installation to representatives of other plants within Conch Group.