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.”

Brazil: Secil subsidiary Supremo Secil Cimentos will invest US$20.3m in an upcoming expansion of its Adrianópolis cement plant. Commencing in July 2024, the expansion will raise the plant’s clinker capacity by 10% and enable it to increase its alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate from 25 – 30% to 40%, and eventually to 50% by 2030. To date, AF use at the plant has reduced its cumulative consumption of petcoke by 100,000t.

CEO Paulo Nascentes highlighted the transformative impact of the Adrianópolis plant on its host community, with its initial investment of US$176m and a subsequent US$41.7m in previous upgrades to date. "One of the reasons why the Paraná government allowed the plant was because Adrianópolis was very neglected. The arrival of Supremo transformed the city," he said.