Bulgaria: Titan Cement subsidiary Zlatna Panega Cement plans to invest Euro11m in sustainability-enhancing upgrades to its Zlatnopanegki cement plant in Lovech Province. The work centres around a Euro7m alternative fuels (AF) upgrade, to raise the plant’s AF substitution rate to 70% from 50% in 2022. Besides this, the producer will also invest Euro4m in the construction of a solar power plant at the facility. The solar power plant is scheduled for commissioning in March 2024. General manager Adamantios Frantzis said that the plant will subsequently move on to its ‘next big project,’ consisting of a Euro35 – 50m upgrade, in 2026 – 2028.

Zlatna Panega Cement invested Euro5.7m in capital expenditure throughout 2022, more than double its investments of Euro2.6m in 2021. It is committed to interim CO₂ reduction targets of 5000t/yr (Scope 1) and 3000t/yr (Scope 2 and 3), and net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.

Philippines: Republic Cement has signed a deal with ACS Manufacturing to receive sorted plastic waste. Republic Cement’s waste management subsidiary Ecoloop will shred the waste to produce alternative fuel (AF) for use in the company’s cement production.

The Manila Bulletin newspaper has reported that Ecoloop managing director Angela Edralin-Valencia said “Republic Cement remains committed to addressing the pervasive plastic pollution problem in the country by collaborating with various organisations and local government units for proper waste disposal.”

Mexico: Cemex Mexico’s Puebla cement plant directly prevented 55,300t-worth of CO₂ emissions through alternative fuel (AF) substitution during the first eight months of 2023. RSS News has reported the facility recorded the highest alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate anywhere in Latin America. When factoring in its removal of landfill-associated CO₂ emissions, this gives the Puebla plant’s cement a carbon footprint of 400kg/t. Cemex is committed to reducing its specific emissions to 430kg/t of cement globally by 2030.

Nigeria: Dangote Cement plans to raise its alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate across its Nigerian operations to 25%. The Punch newspaper has reported that the producer consumed 34,800t of AF during the first half of 2023.

Obajana cement plant head of sustainability Eseosa Ighile said “We are working towards installing AF feeding systems in all our operation lines by 2024.”