Latest cement and concrete industry data shows the sector is making progress in achieving its net zero goals.
The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) states that the extensive decarbonisation work being carried out by the global cement and concrete industry to reduce CO2 emissions is outlined in a new international report launched at COP30 in Belém, Brazil. The report details the latest industry data on net zero progress and also emphasises the need for urgent global government input to help accelerate action.
The report finds that the industry has reduced the CO2 intensity of cementitious products by 25% globally since 1990, and also outlines a series of policy recommendations that can pave the way for faster reductions.
Dominik von Achten, GCCA president and chairman of the managing board of Heidelberg Materials, said: “Our industry is collaborating and innovating across every aspect of our manufacturing – finding new ways to work and deploying exciting technologies that are already making a genuine step change.
“However, to achieve the industrial scale transformation that our world needs, we cannot do it by ourselves – our industry needs the support of governments, policymakers, stakeholders, and our allies across the built environment right now.”
The report calls for the urgent implementation of effective policies that promote the use of otherwise non-recyclable municipal and industrial waste as sustainable alternative fuels for cement kilns, as well as utilising construction and demolition waste as recycled raw materials. Other key policies include changes to building codes to encourage the wider adoption of blended cement and concrete products, as well as the establishment of market-driven national carbon pricing mechanisms that incentivise decarbonization and investment in clean innovation.
Thomas Guillot, chief executive of the GCCA, said: “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.
“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.”
Four years on from the launch of its net zero roadmap, the GCCA’s Cement and Concrete Industry Net Zero Progress Report 2025/26 highlights the leading role that companies worldwide are playing in decarbonisation.
The report highlights more than 60 standout decarbonisation projects from GCCA member companies and partner associations, including:
CO2 reductions can be achieved through the use of waste materials (‘alternative fuels’) to replace fossil fuels, the use of decarbonised raw materials, energy efficiency measures, and innovations such as the use of hydrogen and kiln electrification.
Examples include Fletcher’s Golden Bay plant and JSW’s Nandyal and Shiva plants. Votorantim Cimentos has pioneered the use of biomass waste in Turkey. At its Yozgat plant, the primary alternative fuel for the main burner is corn stalks. At its Hasanoğlan plant, biomass is used in the calciner line.
Limak Cement has utilised construction and demolition waste in its commercial production, Molins has commercialised calcined clay cement in the Spanish market, and TCC Holdings’ subsidiary, CIMPOR, is driving African calcined clay production. CRH’s cement plant in Rohožník, Slovakia, has improved clinker efficiencies through the replacement of 20% raw materials with alternatives.
Acceleration of Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), which accounts for 36% of the industry’s planned CO2 reductions, according to the GCCA Roadmap.
Examples include the launch of the world’s first industrial-sized carbon capture cement plant at Brevik, Norway, run by Heidelberg Materials in June 2025. Other examples include Breedon, Cementir Holding, CNBM, GCC, Holcim, JCA, JSW, TITAN and UltraTech. Publicly announced projects are collated and made available to see on the GCCA/LeadIT green cement technology tracker.
Examples of the Increasing use of alternative energy sources in the cement and concrete sector include the advancement of solar power at Cemex plants in Croatia and UltraTech’s renewable energy project in Gujarat.
In the areas of lower carbon concrete and circularity, as well as design and construction, Holcim and Seqens have built the Recygénie 220-unit social housing complex in Paris using a custom concrete, marking the world’s first building to utilise 100% recycled concrete. Taiheiyo Cement’s CARBOCATCH system produces lower-carbon concrete by utilising waste materials that have absorbed CO₂.
The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Government of Canada, said: “Concrete is at the heart of the world’s growing economic ambitions and infrastructure needs, from housing to roads to energy and trade hubs. As demand is accelerating, industrial decarbonisation has never been more important.
“Canada is proud of the work and achievements of the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough, and COP30 marks an opportunity to deliver on progress made towards our first set of Priority Actions.”
