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UK-Saudi JV To Build Low-carbon SCM Plant in Saudi Arabia

UK-Saudi JV To Build Low-carbon SCM Plant in Saudi Arabia

– A Saudi-UK joint venture between Nizak Mining and Next Generation SCM will establish Saudi Arabia’s first premium calcined clay SCM production facility, with operations starting in Riyadh by Q3 2025.

– The plant’s capacity will initially be 350,000 tonnes per year, doubling to 700,000 tonnes in its second year, using CemGreen’s CemTower technology to reduce CO2 emissions by 99% compared to traditional cement.

– The JV aligns with Saudi Vision 2030, aiming to cut concrete carbon emissions by up to 58% and support sustainable infrastructure development in the Kingdom.

A joint venture between Nizak Mining Company, fully owned by Saudi-listed City Cement, and UK-based Next Generation SCM aims to produce low-carbon concrete in Saudi Arabia. The JV will establish the Kingdom’s first plant for premium calcined clay supplementary cementitious material (SCM) production, according to media reports.

The facility, to be located in Riyadh, is set to begin production in Q3 2025 with an initial capacity of 350,000 tonnes annually, doubling to 700,000 tonnes in its second year. Though financial details were not revealed, the JV is expected to significantly impact Saudi Arabia’s cement industry.

The partnership will introduce Denmark-based CemGreen’s CemTower technology to the GCC market. This method generates only 8 kilos of CO2 per tonne of calcined clay, a 99% reduction compared to the global average of 600 kilograms per tonne for traditional cement.

Using calcined clay SCM is anticipated to reduce carbon emissions from concrete by up to 58%. Unlike other alternatives like fly ash and slag, which aren’t locally available in Saudi Arabia, calcined clay presents a sustainable option.

Neil Crompton, British Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, commended the JV, highlighting its alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and its contribution to reducing environmental emissions and promoting sustainable infrastructure.

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