Cemex and Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) have allied with the Bezos Earth Fund to analyse decarbonisation strategies at the building materials company’s Balcones cement plant in Texas, US.  

This initiative is intended to support Mexico-based Cemex's aim to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 2050. 

MPP is assisting Cemex in evaluating various technological pathways to reduce carbon emissions in cement production.   

These include the use of alternative fuels, lower-carbon materials, carbon capture and storage, and the use of captured carbon to produce synthetic fuels, chemicals, or construction materials. 

The high heat required in cement production is noted to be a challenge to decarbonisation efforts.  

To address this, Cemex and MPP are exploring technologies that can replace fossil fuels. 

Cemex CEO Fernando A González said: “Our collaboration with the Mission Possible Partnership represents a joint effort seeking to accelerate our sustainable commitments and comprehensively evaluate the extent to which we can utilise decarbonisation levers within a specific plant ecosystem. 

“This involves leveraging scalable technologies that would contribute to achieving our ambitious decarbonisation goals on the path to becoming a net-zero company by 2050.” 

Aligned with Cemex’s Future in Action programme, the latest partnership intends to prioritise climate action, circularity, and natural resource management. 

Cemex notes that it has already made strides in reducing its carbon footprint. Since 2020, the company has cut its scope 1 and 2 specific CO₂ emissions by 13% and 12%, respectively.  

Earlier this year, CEMEX launched a clinker micronisation process aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions in cement production.   

The company's research and development (R&D) Centre in Switzerland has developed this approach.