Alternative Fuels Project in the United States
Through the Energy Circularity initiative, UNACEM Ecuador has progressively transformed its energy matrix by replacing traditional fossil fuels with alternative and waste-derived fuels. These include used mineral oils from lubrication centres, biomass from agro-industrial and forestry sectors, refuse-derived fuel (RDF) from non-hazardous industrial and municipal waste, and end-of-life tyres (NFU). In 2024, these alternative fuels represented 56.9% of the total thermal energy used in clinker production, significantly reducing dependence on fossil sources such as bunker fuel and petcoke.
The transition to alternative fuels has delivered substantial improvements in energy efficiency and reductions in carbon footprint. Compared with 2021 levels, the company achieved a reduction of 106 kg CO₂e per tonne of cement, supporting its decarbonisation pathway. In addition, the implementation of the ISO 50001:2018 Energy Management System has enhanced both thermal and electrical efficiency across operations.