Cemex has signed a network partnership agreement with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (EMF) to accelerate circular economy efforts in the built environment.
The foundation’s network is is said to be the world’s leading circular economy network, working with ambitious, like-minded organisations globally.
As a partner of the EMF network, Cemex will continue integrating and scaling circular economy principles into the cement supply chain through its Regenera business, while leveraging science-based research, advocacy, and coalition-building initiatives to drive circularity forward in the building materials industry.
Fernando A. González, chief executive of Cemex, said: “Since 2023, with the launch of our Regenera business, we have strengthened our focus on circularity as an essential component of our strategy.
“Through Regenera, we are providing circularity solutions to extend the life cycle of products and reduce the use of virgin materials.
“The Partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation presents a tremendous opportunity to further drive Cemex’s leadership in the transition of the built environment towards a circular economy.”
Joe Murphy, executive of the business network at the EMF, added: “The built environment sector has a huge role to play in the transition to a circular economy, and Cemex have shown their intent to be a key player by joining our network.
“As a leader in the construction industry, we look forward to supporting their circular economy journey through this long-term collaboration, and showcasing the potential of innovative circular practices within the building materials industry.”
The United Nations found that in 2021 the buildings and construction sector emitted historic levels of CO2 emissions, accounting for approximately 37% of global CO2 emissions.
Incorporating circular economy principles into the built environment will create more sustainable and liveable urban areas, it’s claimed; reducing global CO2 emissions from building materials by 38% by 2050, and enhance sector resilience to supply chain disruptions and raw material price volatility.
A circular economy helps tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and other global challenges by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources.
The EMF is working to accelerate the transition to a circular economy, that is based on three principles driven by design: Eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature.
Cemex says Regenera recovered over 9m tonnes of construction and demolition waste (CDEW) in 2023, marking a 5% increase over the prior year. As a result, construction-related waste has been effectively utilized and treated as raw materials for aggregates in concrete production, reintegrating them into the construction value chain and reducing the environmental impact of the industry.
Read next: Manufacturing tomorrow’s construction workforce
Are you a building professional? Sign up for a FREE MEMBERSHIP to upload news stories, post job vacancies, and connect with colleagues on our secure social feed.
