India: JK Cement has signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Punjab Renewable Energy Systems (PRESPL). Under the agreement, PRESPL will supply its technologies and forward-integrated value chain for use by JK Cement in scaling up alternative fuel (AF) substitution at its cement plants. The transition will focus on biomass-based fuel use.

Managing director Raghavpat Singhania said "As we embark on our journey towards decarbonisation, we commit to this MoU that allows us and PRESPL to build deeper synergies in the bio-energy sector.” He added that the agreement promised ‘a better future with a win-win for the environment, people and energy in India.’

India: UltraTech Cement has signed a memorandum of understanding with Punjab Renewable Energy Systems for the installation of biomass processing lines to produce cement fuel at three of its Indian integrated cement plants. The supplier will also build a sustainable supply chain of agricultural waste for the plants. The companies say that the deal will help to dispose of the waste, which is normally burnt in the open, and reduce the cement plants' Scope 1 and 2 emissions. Currently, the plants rely on imported coal. Additionally, it will augment incomes in local farming communities.

Taiwan: Taiwan Cement has commenced the construction of a US$143m waste processing plant and ecopark at its 1.6Mt/yr Hualien cement plant. Japan-based Kawasaki Heavy Industries provided the design for the facility and visitor attraction. When commissioned, the plant will supply the Hualien cement plant with 200t/day of refuse-derived fuel (RDF) produced from municipal solid waste from Hualien. Taiwan Cement estimates that the move will eliminate 40,000t/yr of CO₂ emissions from the plant’s operations.

Japan: Austria-based Untha has awarded an exclusive distribution agreement in Japan to Axia. The distributor has taken delivery of a mobile Untha XR shredder for use as a demonstration unit at its customer sites and ordered six more models.

Axia CEO Kazunori Kawata said “China’s ban on waste plastic imports means Japan has sharpened up on its domestic recycling capabilities. The introduction of Untha’s engineering experience will really disrupt the market. Operators are starting to think differently about machine reliability, throughputs and lifecycle costs. As a nation, we must increase our productivity and capacity, and we need a different class of machine to be able to do this – one that is highly configurable, versatile and built to last. Output precision is also crucial.” He added “If Japan is to enhance its commitment to the environment, it is important that we seek to use energy efficient technologies within our waste and recycling facilities. Renowned globally for using 75% less energy than competitors’ diesel-hydraulic machines, the Untha XR shredder doesn’t just improve the net carbon impact of the process – it keeps fuel costs low, too. Some customers have been known to save US$135,000/yr in fuel costs alone.”