The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has called for the urgent implementation of policies that promote the use of non-recyclable municipal and industrial waste as sustainable alternative fuels for cement kilns, as well as greater recycling of construction and demolition waste.
The GCCA made its call in the Cement and Concrete Industry Net Zero Action and Progress Report 2025/26, which was published at COP30.
The report outlines the efforts that the global cement industry has made to reduce carbon emissions, as well as identifying policies that can accelerate the sector’s progress towards net zero.
As it noted, the industry has reduced the CO₂ intensity of cementitious products by 25% since 1990, with government input needed to foster further reductions.
‘Truly inspiring’
“The breadth of activity we are seeing across our membership is truly inspiring, with great examples of projects and work across all decarbonisation levers, where enabling policies exist,” Thomas Guillot, chief executive of the GCCA, said at the launch of the report.
“Cement and concrete are essential materials for the world, but we know they are also essential to decarbonise. Despite our progress, we know that firm policy action across the world is fundamental to enabling us to accelerate our reductions.”
Decarbonisation projects
The report also highlights more than 60 decarbonisation projects that GCCA member organisations and partner associations are undertaking around the world, including Fletcher’s Golden Bay facility and JSW’s Nandyal and Shiva plants, which are using waste materials as alternative fuels.
Elsewhere, Votorantim Cimentos in Turkey is using biomass from corn stalks at its Yozgat plant, while Limak Cement is incorporating construction demolition waste into its commercial processes. CRH’s facility in Slovakia has replaced 20% of raw materials with alternatives to improve clinker efficiency.
In terms of carbon capture and storage, another aspect of the sector’s decarbonisation strategy – accounting for 36% of planned CO₂ reductions – Heidelberg Materials has opened the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture cement plant in Brevik, Norway, while other firms such as Breedon, Cementir Holding, CNBM, GCC, Holcim, JCA, JSW, TITAN and UltraTech are also investing in carbon capture technology.
The report also outlines efforts to increase the use of alternative energy sources, and the development of lower-carbon concrete and circularity initiatives.
“Concrete is at the heart of the world’s growing economic ambitions and infrastructure needs, from housing to roads to energy and trade hubs,” commented Mélanie Joly, minister of industry and minister responsible for economic development for the Quebec region, government of Canada. “As demand is accelerating, industrial decarbonisation has never been more important.” Read more here.
