Austria: Lafarge Zementwerke used alternative fuel (AF) in 96% of the fuel mix at its Retznei, Styria, cement plant throughout 2021. CEO Berthold Kren congratulated the plant’s team on its ‘outstanding performance’ in phasing out fossil fuels. Kren added that the plant has also led the way in construction waste recycling.

UAE: Dulsco has commissioned a 70,000t/yr refuse-derived fuel (RDF) plant at the Expo 2020 Dubai site in Dubai. RDF from the plant will be used by local cement producers and other industries. The project follows the UAE’s Circular Economy Policy 2021 - 2031. Dulsco’s business interests cover waste management, outsourcing, recruitment and workshop and fabrication services.

Kuwait: Kuwait City Cement has received government approval for its plan to establish a municipal solid waste (MSW) plant. The Al Qabas newspaper has reported that, when commissioned, the plant will supply refuse-derived fuel to the country’s cement industry.

Kuwait cement previously applied for a licence to burn municipal waste fractions at its Shuaiba, Ahmadi, cement plant in 2019.

Panama: Cemex has secured a supply of 30t/yr of industrial waste for use at its Panamanian cement plant from US-based industrial conglomerate 3M. The waste will consist of high-calorific residual foam and wool.

Cemex South, Central America and the Caribbean regional president Jesús González said “We are very pleased to make this alliance that strengthens our company’s path towards our carbon neutrality goal by 2050. Cemex and the building materials industry can play an important role in the creation of a truly circular economy. As evidenced by this agreement, we welcome this challenge and are moving aggressively to create the better circular world of the future.”