Global Cement, Concrete Industry Reports Progress, Urges Policy Push At COP30

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- The global cement and concrete industry has reduced the carbon intensity of cementitious products by 25 per cent since 1990, marking continued progress in its decarbonisation efforts, according to a new report launched at COP30 in Belem, Brazil.

The Global Cement and Concrete Association’s (GCCA) Net Zero Progress Report 2025/26 outlines ongoing industry-wide actions and stresses the need for stronger government intervention to accelerate the transition, according to a statement.

The report highlights that the sector is advancing through collaborative innovation across production processes, supported by new technologies aimed at lowering emissions. However, the GCCA cautioned that large-scale transformation cannot be achieved without coordinated policy support from governments, regulators and stakeholders in the built environment.

Among the key policy measures proposed are the adoption of sustainable alternative fuels sourced from non-recyclable municipal and industrial waste for use in cement kilns, as well as the increased utilisation of construction and demolition waste as recycled raw materials.

The report also recommends updating building codes to enable wider use of blended cement and concrete, alongside the implementation of national carbon pricing mechanisms to incentivise decarbonisation and investment in clean technologies.

Four years after the launch of its net zero roadmap, the GCCA said companies across the world are demonstrating leadership through more than 60 standout decarbonisation projects undertaken by member companies and partner associations.

These include efforts to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions through alternative fuels, energy efficiency initiatives, the use of decarbonated raw materials, and trials involving hydrogen and kiln electrification. Notable examples include projects at Fletcher’s Golden Bay plant, JSW’s Nandyal and Shiva plants, and Votorantim Cimentos’ Turkish facilities using agricultural biomass.

The acceleration of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies also represents a significant component of the industry’s planned emissions reduction, with the sector accounting for 36 per cent of future cuts under the GCCA roadmap. Recent milestones include the commissioning of the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture cement plant in Brevik, Norway.

The report further identifies increased adoption of renewable energy sources across facilities, including solar power at Cemex operations in Croatia and a major renewable project in Gujarat by UltraTech.

Circularity initiatives are also gaining traction, with the development of lower-carbon concrete and the use of fully recycled material in new construction. Examples include a 220-unit social housing complex in Paris built using 100 per cent recycled concrete and systems that utilise CO₂-absorbed waste to produce lower-carbon concrete.

The Canadian government, participating through the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough initiative, said the sector’s efforts are timely as global demand for concrete continues to rise, underscoring the urgency of industrial decarbonisation.

-- BERNAMA