Votorantim Cimentos reduced its global CO2 emissions by 27.9% between 1990 and 2024

Votorantim Cimentos’ decarbonisation strategy is based on four main pillars: co-processing (replacement of fossil fuels in cement production kilns with other materials, especially biomass and waste), the use of cementitious materials (substitution of clinker – the main component of cement and the main source of CO₂ emissions in the cement production process – with by-products from other industries), energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, (company-owned hydroelectric power plants and investments in solar and wind energy), and the development of technologies (use of innovative processes and new materials, carbon capture and efficiency gains in the cement and concrete value chain to optimise resources and further reduce carbon intensity).

“Cement and concrete are essential products for the development of society in areas such as housing and living, basic sanitation and others. We recognise our role as part of the solution to decarbonisation. Globally, we have made progress in pilot projects for CO₂ capture, installed new co-processing and renewable energy sites and systems, and launched low-carbon products. All these efforts will contribute toward our decarbonisation journey and help us achieve our goal of producing carbon-neutral concrete by 2050,” said Álvaro Lorenz, global director of Sustainability, Institutional Relations, Product Development, Engineering and Energy at Votorantim Cimentos.

In 2024, Votorantim Cimentos’ global thermal substitution rate – which measures the percentage of biomass and waste used as fuel in cement kilns – through co-processing was 32.1%. This rate represents an improvement compared to 2023, when Votorantim Cimentos achieved a thermal substitution rate of 30.9%. Our 2030 target rate is 53%.

The clinker factor (which measures the amount of clinker in cement) was 72.5% last year, a drop compared to 72.8% in 2023. Votorantim Cimentos’ 2030 goal is to reach a clinker factor of 68% by increasing the use of alternative raw materials, in line with the concept of the circular economy.

In 2024, 34.1% of the electricity consumed by Votorantim Cimentos came from renewable sources, compared to 34.1% in 2023, excluding the operations in Morocco and Tunisia, which were sold by the company last year – the divestment in Morocco is awaiting the fulfilment of usual conditions precedent for this type of transaction to be concluded. Votorantim Cimentos' goal is to have 45% of the energy consumed globally come from renewable sources by 2030.

Progress in decarbonisation

“A” score by CDP for the second consecutive year – In February 2025, for the second consecutive year, Votorantim Cimentos received an “A” score for Climate in an assessment conducted by CDP, one of the most respected global non-profit organisations that manages the world’s only independent environmental disclosure system for companies, capital markets, cities, states and regions to manage their environmental impacts. This score placed Votorantim Cimentos among a select group of companies ranked at the top of the list and among the world’s best cement companies, exemplifying best practices in strategic environmental management in the market. It also recognises its leadership in transparency and performance related to climate change.

Product line with lower CO₂ emissions in Spain – In October 2024, Votorantim Cimentos launched Blenture, a new cement and concrete brand for the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), designed to reduce CO₂ emissions and support more sustainable construction. Blenture is the result of significant investments in research and development. The brand aligns with the Votorantim Cimentos' sustainability commitments and decarbonisation strategy, which are based on process efficiency, the use of recycled raw materials and the consumption of non-fossil fuels to drive the circular economy and increase the use of renewable energy. Blenture cements and concretes offer competitive solutions to many applications, with the same quality, strength and performance, combined with a 30% reduction in carbon footprint.

CO₂ capture projects – Internationally, Votorantim Cimentos is making progress in CO₂ capture projects in Canada and Spain. The Alconera plant, in Spain, has started a carbon capture pilot project using the potassium carbonate (HPC) technology. This initiative is one of the industry’s first carbon capture experiments in Spain and seeks to expand knowledge about this technology, representing an important step in the decarbonisation journey. Another initiative in this area is underway in North America, where Votorantim Cimentos is working on a pilot project using membrane-based carbon capture technology at the Charlevoix site in Canada.

Investments in co-processing in Brazil – In 2024, Votorantim Cimentos announced an investment of R$5 billion in a comprehensive programme for the structural growth and competitiveness of Votorantim Cimentos' operations in Brazil through 2028. This programme, of which R$1.9 billion is already being invested, includes company sites in all regions of the country, with structural investments to increase competitiveness and co-processing capacity and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/11042025/votorantim-cimentos-reduced-its-global-co2-emissions-by-279-between-1990-and-2024/