Cemex
Cemex, a member of the U.S. based Portland Cement Association, is supporting the industry’s ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 by investing in research and development to cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, increasing energy efficiency and the use of renewables, and offering low-carbon and carbon neutral cement mixes.
Cemex is using grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to pilot and test carbon capture technologies. Carbon capture, utilization and storage is a key piece for cement manufacturers to reach carbon neutrality, and will also be extremely beneficial to other manufacturing and CO2 emitting industries. A few of the technologies currently being tested are the use of non-aqueous solvents to dissolve CO2 as it is being emitted and [Cemex to fill in]. At our Victorville, California, plant we are exploring ways to capture and recycle CO2, using it for [Cemex to fill in].
We are also focused on the use of alternative fuels and energy efficiency. We are substituting about 29.2% of our traditional coal fuel with alternative fuels. We believe that a key part in reducing emissions is energy efficiency, and we are piloting generating electricity on-site using recycled heat. In 2021, 30% of our operational power came from clean energy sources.
We are also investing in more efficient transportation vehicles, using renewable diesel fuel for part of our fleets which has a lower CO2 content than traditional diesel, and launching a new low-emission, high-efficiency locomotive that is expected to reduce CO2 by 34 tons per year.
Cemex has also launched a low carbon cement and net zero CO2 concrete. In order to achieve these low-carbon alternatives, the clinker is replaced and substitutes, extenders and other cementitious materials are added, allowing for low-carbon or carbon neutral building to go mainstream.
We are dedicated to creating a greener future. Reducing emissions in the cement industry will be achieved through a number of complementary actions. For us, launching lower carbon concrete, using heat from kilns to generate electricity and investing in innovation is moving we are on track to meet our goal of 35% reduction of CO2 emissions per ton by 2030.