Holcim’s cement works in Saint-Pierre-la-Cour, France, uses a combination of calcined clay to reduce clinker content required in the cement, and biofuels and waste heat recovery systems to heat the remaining clinker required. This combination has displaced 100% of fossil fuels from its calcined clay cement production process to deliver up to 500,000 tonnes a year. This cement works received funding from France’s ‘France Relance’ industrial decarbonisation fund.

Holcim’s cement works in Retznei, Austria, used alternative fuel in 96% of its fuel mix last year – virtually eradicating fossil fuels from its operations – and is working towards 100%.

JK Cement’s cement works in Muddapur, Karnataka, India, has increased its use of alternative fuels to 78%, and is completing the installation of a waste heat recovery system, which it expects to make the cement works 100% fossil fuel-free.

Huaxin, a global cement producer headquartered in Wuhan, China, has reached 40% and 60% alternative fuels (mainly refuse-derived fuels) at its Diwei Chongqing (2,500 tonne/day) and Huangshi cement works, respectively. In developing economies, certain alternative fuels are highly variable in materials and moister content, resulting in heating fluctuations that challenges consistent quality in clinker production. At Huangshi cement works, Huaxin uses AI and other technologies to adjust production processes in real-time response to changing fuel properties, allowing it to create consistent clinker quality.

Comments are closed.
In November 2024, the new UK Government announced its intention to legislate a ban of new coal mining licences – which we welcomed. Over a year later, the legislation is yet to be introduced, and the Government is not planning to include all types of extraction…
The UK steel and cement sectors (and to a lesser extent, bricks) are the largest users of coal following the closing down of the UK’s last coal-fired power station in September 2024. Check out our coal dashboard for our most recent coal stats including an industry break-down. We support the UK Government’s commitment to ban…
The steel industry produces 9-11% of the annual CO2 emitted globally, contributing significantly to climate change. In 2024, on average, every tonne of steel produced led to the emission of 2.2 tonnes of CO2e (scope 1, 2, and 3). Globally in 2024, 1,886 million tonnes (Mt) of steel were produced, emitting…
Last month we worked with Members of Parliament from various parties on a Westminster Hall debate about coal tip safety and the prohibition of new coal extraction licences. The debate happened 59 years and one day after the Aberfan tragedy which killed 116 children and 28 adults…
Successful, at-scale, examples already exist of cement works burning 100% fuel alternatives to traditional fossil fuels, including pilot projects using combinations of hydrogen and biomass (UK) and hydrogen and electricity (Sweden). Yet, innovations such as use of hydrogen and kiln electrification are…
Within the borders of the Senedd Caerphilly constituency is the proposed Bedwas coal tips re-mining project. In the lead up to the Senedd by-election, Coal Action Network has carried out a survey of the by-election candidates asking for their views about the re-mining of the Bedwas and other…
In 2019, Bryn Bach Coal Ltd applied to expand its Glan Lash opencast coal mine and extend the amount of time it would continue mining coal for. The proposal would see the coal mine swallowing a nearby ancient woodland, hedgerows, and grassland. The proposal was rejected by Carmarthenshire County Council in 2023…
In November 2024, the UK Government announced its commitment to legislating a ban of new coal mining licences. This was a commitment that Coal Action Network had secured a manifesto commitment from the Government for, along with four other major parties…
Coal Action Network has obtained new legal advice from expert Barristers Estelle Dehon (KC) and Rowan Clapp of Cornerstone Chambers, London. Examining relevant…