Australia: Adbri’s cement plant in Adelaide has received approval to burn more plastic waste as alternative fuel for its kiln, in a decision a local council is seeking to challenge in the courts, according to ABC news. The South Australia Environment Protection Authority (EPA) earlier in July 2026 approved a six-week trial permitting Adbri to use greater amounts of refuse-derived fuel (RDF). The plant had previously been allowed to burn up to 32t/hr, with a maximum 20% concentration of plastic. From Tuesday 21 July 2026, RDF will fuel the kiln at a maximum rate of 10t/hr and 50% plastic concentration, although the EPA's website says ‘it is not expected that [rate] will be sustained on an ongoing basis.’ Port Adelaide Enfield Council last week voted to seek ‘urgent legal advice’ about pursuing an injunction on the trial. The council also wants the government to enact 24-hour stack monitoring.

Port Adelaide Enfield mayor Claire Boan said "We have not seen nationwide data of any kind whatsoever that actually explains this is safe for our community, and that's a great concern.

It's not about closing them down. They've been there for a hundred years, for sure, but we've been here building our homes and that's really important and should be considered as well."

Adbri said that it has diverted at least 2.7Mt of waste that would have otherwise been sent to landfill since it began using alternative fuel in the early 2000s. A spokesperson said "The RDF proposed for use in the trial is a highly processed engineered fuel that must meet strict EPA standards and quality controls before it can be used."

EPA compliance director Steven Sergi said that pollutant monitoring would occur at different spots, including at the site's stack, and that there would be ‘ambient air quality’ monitoring in the community. He said data would be collected on emissions of various particle types, and of SO₂ and NO_x. "There's parameters set in the licence - as soon as those parameters are exceeded, particularly in relation to air quality, the trial ceases immediately," he said. Sergi added that the EPA would be conducting unannounced inspections at the site and that a report was expected within 90 days of the trial's completion.

Philippines: Mark Anthony Agsalud Integrated Waste Solutions in Bonbonon will process post-consumer materials into refuse-derived fuel (RDF) for cement plants. The facility only accepts segregated waste from households and commercial establishments, which will be delivered to Holcim and Republic Cement’s facilities to be used for their cement production. A recent delivery was reportedly made on 25 June 2026 for Republic Cement, according to Minda news. An official said that the payment for the deliveries is an internal arrangement between the waste processing firm and the two cement companies.

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.”