thyssenkrupp to build Cameroon cement plant
(Posted on 31/03/20)
thyssenkrupp is to fit the first cement plant with a system for the production of calcined clay
for the Dutch-based company Cimpor Global Holdings. The technology developed by
thyssenkrupp lowers CO2 emissions in cement production by up to 40 percent. It involves
replacing part of the cement clinker with calcined, i.e. thermally activated, clay. Cimpor
Global Holdings will use the technology, known as “polysius activated clay”, on an
industrial scale at a new plant being built near the Cameroon sea port of Kribi. On
completion in fall 2021, the plant will save more than 120,000 tons of CO2 emissions every
An important building material, cement is produced by an energy-intensive process in
which large quantities of carbon dioxide are emitted. “At thyssenkrupp we are convinced
that CO2-neutral cement production is fundamentally possible and can be achieved in
several steps,” says Pablo Hofelich, CEO of the Cement Technologies business unit. “We
are already very advanced in many areas on the technology side. We offer our customers
products that reduce environmental impact and at the same time reduce costs, making it
possible for example to significantly cut CO2 and nitrogen oxide emissions and reduce the
use of raw materials, water, or fossil fuels such as coal and gas.”
Under the order, thyssenkrupp is carrying out engineering, procurement, construction and
commissioning of the new plant, which will produce 720 tons of activated clay per day. It is
the second calcined clay project of Cimpor Global Holdings.
CO2 is a natural constituent of limestone, the main component of cement. For each ton of
cement clinker produced, around 790 kilograms of process-related CO2 is emitted. Around
two thirds of this results from the limestone used, which releases CO2 in a chemical reaction
in the production process. At the same time the process requires large amounts of energy,
because for the production of cement clinker, limestone has to be heated with other
aggregates to temperatures of more than 1,400 degrees Celsius.
With polysius activated clay, thyssenkrupp has developed a technology that allows around
one third of the cement clinker to be replaced with activated clay. The clay is heated to
around 800 degrees Celsius – significantly less heat than is needed to produce clinker.
Thanks to the significant energy saving in the production of thermally activated clays and
the changed chemical composition, CO2 emissions per ton of cement can be cut by up to 40
Latest News
NGFA applauds Senate confirmation of Lindberg as USDA trade undersecretary
(Posted on 04/08/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has commended the U.S. Senate for confirming Luke... Read more
Cargill to acquire Mig-Plus, expanding animal nutrition business in Brazil
(Posted on 04/08/25)Cargill, one of the world’s leading food providers, continues to advance its growth strategy in... Read more
Resilient financial results as Rio Tinto grows and diversifies
(Posted on 30/07/25)Rio Tinto has announced a 6% production year-on-year uplift, thereby delivering on strategy through... Read more
K-SURE and Trafigura $200m financing agreement to support Korean shipping
(Posted on 30/07/25)The Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) and Trafigura, a global leader in the commodities industry... Read more
BHP record copper and iron ore production drives strong 2025 performance
(Posted on 21/07/25)BHP have released their Operational Review for the year ended 30 June 2025.BHP Chief Executive Officer... Read more
Dynamic Mining shipping arm and GeoServe’s one-year milestone
(Posted on 15/07/25)A strategic collaboration between Icon Gulf Trading DMCC (part of the Dynamic Group) and GeoServe Energy... Read more
SSAB and Metal Solutions start partnership in fossil-free steel
(Posted on 15/07/25)SSAB and Metal Solutions have entered a long-term partnership for the supply of decarbonized steel with... Read more
NGFA thanks lawmakers for including industry priorities in ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’
(Posted on 08/07/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) in the USA has applauded Congress for including a slate... Read more
Fertilizers Europe: Commission announcement on CBAM falls short
(Posted on 08/07/25)Fertilizers Europe’s have released their reaction to the European Commission announcement on the... Read more
Bunge completes sale of its North America corn milling business
(Posted on 02/07/25)Bunge Global SA has confirmed that it has completed the previously announced sale of its North America... Read more
