The global cement industry is taking a major leap toward sustainability as Holcim partners with Swedish innovator SaltX Technology to establish the world’s first plant for all-electric cement production. This groundbreaking collaboration harnesses SaltX’s electric plasma technology, offering a new pathway to decarbonize one of the world’s most carbon-intensive industries.
Decarbonising cement
Cement production accounts for approximately 7-8% of global CO2 emissions, making it a critical target for climate action. Traditional cement manufacturing relies heavily on fossil fuels to produce clinker, the key ingredient in cement. By replacing this process with electrification powered by renewable energy, Holcim and SaltX are paving the way for low-carbon and eventually net-zero cement production.
Breakthrough plasma technology
At the heart of this initiative is SaltX’s patented electric plasma technology, which enables the production of clinker using renewable electricity. In addition to eliminating the need for fossil fuels, this process concentrates carbon emissions from primary materials, making carbon capture significantly more efficient and economically viable.
Lina Jorheden, CEO of SaltX, said: “This collaboration with Holcim is a major recognition of our technology and long-term vision. Together, we will scale and industrialise our solution through close technical and commercial cooperation.”
Holcim’s commitment to sustainable innovation
For Holcim, this partnership expands its diverse portfolio of decarbonisation technologies, which are at the core of its strategy to lead the transition to sustainable construction. Through its open innovation ecosystem, Holcim actively collaborates with over 500 startups annually to bring cutting-edge solutions to the built environment.
Since the launch of MAQER Ventures, Holcim’s corporate venture capital unit, the company has made 17 strategic investments to accelerate the development and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies that can reduce the carbon footprint of the construction sector.
Ram Muthu, Head of Operational Excellence at Holcim, stated: “By combining Holcim’s global expertise with SaltX’s groundbreaking technology, we have an additional lever to decarbonise the entire cement manufacturing process. This collaboration enhances our ability to produce near-zero cement at scale, meeting customer demand and reinforcing our leadership in sustainable construction.”
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