CEMEX to operate fully on alternative fuels at Rugby
New facility expected to produce carbon saving equivalent to annual emissions of 135,000+ cars
CEMEX have announced the inauguration of their new Climafuel facility at their Rugby cement plant. This significant investment aims to allow the plant to operate fully on alternative fuels, eliminating the use of fossil fuels – the first CEMEX plant to achieve this milestone.
Climafuel is a waste-derived fuel made using household residual and commercial waste that would otherwise go to landfill, marking another key milestone in CEMEX’s global Future in Action decarbonization strategy.
By the end of 2022, CEMEX expect to achieve a 40% reduction in carbon emissions in Europe, well on the way to their target of a 55% reduction by 2030 – a target aligned to the European Union’s decarbonization goal.
With the investment at Rugby’s plant in the UK, CEMEX in Europe expect to process the equivalent annual residues of a city the size of Madrid or Berlin and to achieve 70% alternative fuel substitution in the region this year.
CEMEX chief executive officer Fernando A. González visited the UK plant and highlighted the success of the Climafuel investment. ‘I am proud of CEMEX Europe’s continued leadership in our carbon action strategy. It serves as the model for the rest of our regions,’ he said.
‘I expect CEMEX to continue leading the way in our decarbonization journey. This effort is not only the way to build a better future for the communities in which we operate and society at large, but is also the right thing for the future of the company. I look forward to continued progress on our Future in Action strategy from all our regions.’
Sergio Menéndez, president of CEMEX Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia added: ‘With the completion of this considerable development, we have set new records in alternative fuel substitution – the highest of any of our plants – and eventually expect to phase out completely the usage of fossil fuels at the plant. We expect the Rugby plant to be a model for other CEMEX cement plants around the world.’
Lord Grimstone, UK Minister for Investment, commented: ‘CEMEX’s investment in a new Climafuel facility at their Rugby cement plant is a significant milestone in the company's ambitions to decarbonize.
‘With the Government’s commitment to reach net-zero by 2050, it’s important we support the adoption of alternative fuels and the development of new, climate-friendly technologies to help companies such as CEMEX move to a cleaner, greener future.’
