Global CemFuels News

Costa Rica: Holcim subsidiary Geocycle has commissioned its new US$15m Agua Caliente de Cartago waste processing plant. The plant will process 75,000t/yr of municipal solid waste into refuse-derived fuel for use at Holcim Costa Rica’s 1.1Mt/yr Agua Caliente de Cartago cement plant.

Holcim Costa Rica CEO Andrea Lara said "Accelerating sustainable growth means driving innovative solutions that allow us to decarbonise cities, and today Costa Rica is a leader in the region through this project.”

Slovenia: Parliament has voted in favour of legislation requiring limit values for the co-processing of waste, including as alternative fuel (AF) in cement production. The government will now define the limit values based on best available technology standards for incineration. Following the enactment, facilities which co-process waste will have four years in which to comply. Slovenia Times News has reported that the bill came about following campaigning by environmentalist group Eco Anhovo and allied non-governmental organisations. The groups protested against the way AF is used at Salonit Anhovo’s 1Mt/yr Anhovo cement plant in Nova Gorica Municipality.

Salonit Anhovo chair Tomaž Vuk said “To protect more than 800 direct and indirect jobs and the interests of us and our business partners, we will use all means to provide for further development and business operations.”

Spain: Cemex España plans to install a new tertiary mill in its Alicante cement plant’s refuse-derived fuel (RDF) line. The project, called Molentis, is scheduled for completion in early 2025 and will cost €6m. The Molentis upgrade will help the Alicante cement plant to raise its RDF substitution rate by 8%, according to the producer. This in turn will reduce its CO₂ emissions by 6700t/yr. The Spanish Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism granted €4.4m toward the project to Cemex España under its Innovation and Sustainability Plan.

Cemex España director of operations Benjamín Cabrera said "Molentis will enable us to advance towards climate neutrality and position the Alicante factory at the forefront of new technologies in the decarbonised industry."

Mexico: Geocycle Mexico has installed a new crusher at its Macuspana waste management plant in Tabasco. The alternative fuels (AF) supplier says that the expansion will help it to reduce cement plants in Southeast Mexico’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Geocycle Mexico director Oscar Rivas said "The crusher will significantly increase our ability to solve major waste management challenges in the region, and will allow us to produce a useful resource from different types of waste. He continued “Once crushed and formulated, they can be used in the cement manufacturing process, avoiding their burial and thus contributing to decarbonisation efforts in the region."

Philippines: Cemex Philippines processed 700,000t of waste into alternative fuel (AF) for its Apo and Solid cement plants in 2023. Malaya Business Insight News has reported that the volume equates to three months’ waste generation for the entire city of Manila. Cemex Philippines recorded an AF substitution rate of 30% for the year.

President and CEO Luis Franco said “Cemex Philippines is proud to be a leader in circular economy. We believe that in transforming waste into value, we can create a positive impact on the environment, the society, and the economy. We are committed to continue innovating and collaborating with our stakeholders to address the country’s waste problems.”