Cemex and Synhelion make further progress toward the world’s first fully solar-powered cement plant

Rhea-AI Summary

Cemex (CX) and Synhelion scale solar-driven cement production technology to industrially-viable levels, achieving continuous clinker production using only solar heat. This milestone marks progress towards net-zero CO2 cement and concrete production, with potential for carbon neutrality by 2050.

Positive

• Successful scaling of solar-driven cement production technology to industrially-viable levels
• Continuous production of clinker using only solar heat, reducing direct CO2 emissions by approximately 40%
• Recognition and funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship
• Potential for carbon neutrality by 2050 through the development of scalable, sustainable technologies

Negative

• None.

MONTERREY, Mexico & ZURICH--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Cemex and Synhelion announced today a significant milestone in their joint effort to develop fully solar-driven cement production: the scaling of their technology to industrially-viable levels. This includes the continuous production of clinker, the most energy-intensive part of cement manufacturing, using only solar heat.

Close-up of Synhelion’s receiver delivering the high-temperature solar process heat beyond 1,500°C. (Photo: Business Wiire)

At the beginning of 2022, the companies announced the first-ever successful production of solar clinker in a small-scale batch process pilot. Advancing from that stage to production under plant-like and continuous conditions reaffirms the tremendous potential of this technology to reach industrial-scale implementation. Cemex and Synhelion will now take further steps toward building a solar-driven industrial-scale pilot cement plant.

“I am convinced we are getting closer to the technologies that will enable net-zero CO₂ cement and concrete production,” said Fernando A. González, CEO of Cemex. “The solid progress I see here proves that solar cement is not just a dream; it is achievable through continued collaboration and backed up by rigorous research and testing.”

Gianluca Ambrosetti, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Synhelion, added, “This is an exciting milestone for everyone involved, achieved through the excellent collaboration between the teams of Cemex and Synhelion. Our technology can make an important contribution toward decarbonizing cement production, and we look forward to more trailblazing achievements in this field.”

Clinker is produced in a rotary kiln at temperatures nearing 1,500°C. Fossil fuels are typically used to heat the kiln and are responsible for approximately 40% of direct CO₂ emissions. Synhelion’s breakthrough technology provides sufficient heat to produce clinker without using fossil fuels. Replacing fossil fuels entirely with solar energy is a game-changer in Cemex’s efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Additionally, the technology creates the conditions to separate, and therefore capture, the remaining CO₂ from calcination in concentrated form without additional efforts.

The partnership between Cemex and Synhelion has received important recognition recently. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded US$ 3.2 million to Solar MEAD, a joint project between Cemex, Sandia National Laboratories, and Synhelion to study the conditions to maximize heat transfer to the raw cement mix. The collaboration also received an honorable mention in the Eco-Innovator category of the Corporate Citizenship Innovation Awards sponsored by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship – an organization dedicated to advancing the work of corporate social responsibility and sustainability.

This project is part of Cemex’s Future in Action program, which focuses on achieving sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity, and natural resource management with the primary objective of becoming a net-zero CO₂ company by 2050. Two essential elements of this program are Cemex Ventures and Cemex’s R&D Center in Switzerland. Through them, the company is discovering and investing in the companies they believe will provide the proven, scalable technologies to achieve carbon neutrality.

About Cemex

Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Cemex”) (NYSE: CX) is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience enabled by digital technologies. For more information, please visit: www.cemex.com

About Synhelion

Synhelion is a global pioneer in the field of carbon-neutral solar fuels. The clean energy company evolved from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) in 2016 to decarbonize the transportation sector. Synhelion is currently building the world’s first industrial facility for the production of solar fuel in Jülich, Germany. The first commercial production facility is planned for commissioning in Spain by 2025. Synhelion is the first company to sustainably generate process heat beyond 1,500°C with concentrated solar radiation. This makes it possible to drive industrial processes such as fuel production and cement manufacturing with solar heat for the first time. The company provides the world with cutting-edge technology to combat climate change and works with international partners such as Eni, Cemex, Lufthansa Group, Swiss International Air Lines, SMS group, Wood, AMAG Group, and Zurich Airport. For more information, please visit: www.synhelion.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230803401989/en/

Cemex

Analyst and Investor Relations - Monterrey

Fabián Orta

+52 (81) 8888-4327

ir@cemex.com

Analyst and Investor Relations - New York

Scott Pollak

+1 (212) 317-6011

ir@cemex.com

Media Relations

Jorge Pérez

+52 (81) 8259-6666

jorgeluis.perez@cemex.com

Synhelion

Media Relations

Carmen Murer, Head Corporate Communication

+41 79 619 52 11

carmen.murer@synhelion.com

Source: Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V.

FAQ

What is the milestone achieved by Cemex and Synhelion?

Cemex and Synhelion have achieved the scaling of their technology to industrially-viable levels, enabling continuous production of clinker using only solar heat.

How does the solar-driven cement production technology impact CO2 emissions?

The technology reduces direct CO2 emissions by approximately 40% by providing sufficient heat to produce clinker without using fossil fuels.

What recognition and funding has the partnership received?

The partnership received US$ 3.2 million funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and an honorable mention in the Eco-Innovator category of the Corporate Citizenship Innovation Awards sponsored by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship.

What is the objective of Cemex's Future in Action program?

The program focuses on achieving sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity, and natural resource management, with the primary objective of becoming a net-zero CO2 company by 2050.