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Etex and Heidelberg Materials Benelux unveil breakthrough fibre cement recycling to produce low-carbon cement
ZAVENTEM, Belgium and LIXHE, Belgium, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Etex and Heidelberg Materials Benelux are implementing CEMLOOP XL, an industrial-scale initiative to recycle fibre cement into low-carbon cement. The project introduces a closed-loop process using Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, transforming fibre cement waste into a high-quality secondary raw material for new low carbon cement production, which can then be used to produce new fibre cement products.
About this update from Heidelberg Materials Ag
[{"type":"text","content":"ZAVENTEM, Belgium and LIXHE, Belgium, Oct. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Etex and Heidelberg Materials Benelux are implementing CEMLOOP XL, an industrial-scale initiative to recycle fibre cement into low-carbon cement. The project introduces a closed-loop process using Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, transforming fibre cement waste into a high-quality secondary raw material for new low carbon cement production, which can then be used to produce new fibre cement products.","length":500,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Etex, with Group Jacobs, is developing a process to convert fibre cement waste from its production lines and the wider construction sector into Recycled Fibre Cement Paste (RFCP). A new recycling facility is under construction in Hemiksem, Belgium, expected to be operational by mid-2026.","length":288,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"At its Lixhe cement plant, Heidelberg Materials is developing the CCLIX process, which upgrades RFCP through enforced carbonation using CO₂ captured from kiln exhaust gases. This produces carbonated RFCP (cRFCP), which regains cementitious properties and can partially replace clinker in low-carbon cement. The carbonation reactor at Lixhe is scheduled for commissioning by the end of 2028.","length":390,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"The combined processes prevent 60,000 tonnes of fibre cement waste annually, save 100,000 tonnes of raw limestone, and reduce CO₂ emissions in cement production by at least 20%. Energy use is cut by 15%, and new fibre cement products will contain over 20% recycled content with a 15% lower carbon footprint. Each ton of RFCP captures or avoids around 900kg of CO₂. The CO₂ is chemically bound in the final product, acting as a permanent storage in line with EU regulation.","length":472,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"The project has received support from the EU LIFE Programme, with the grant agreement signed in June 2025.","length":106,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"Read the full press release to learn more about this breakthrough initiative: www.cemloopxl.eu/news/etex-and-heidelberg-materials-benelux-unveil-breakthrough-fibre-cement-recycling-to-produce-low-carbon-cement/","length":210,"tagName":"p"},{"type":"text","content":"More information (Etex): Joseph Lemaire, Senior Corporate Communicat...