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.

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.

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.

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.

The project has received support from the EU LIFE Programme, with the grant agreement signed in June 2025.

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/

More information (Etex): Joseph Lemaire, Senior Corporate Communications Manager, Tel +32 472 96 72 57, joseph.lemaire@etexgroup.com 
More information (Heidelberg Materials): Vincent Allaerts, Head of Communication, Tel +32 478 98 70 85, vincent.allaerts@heidelbergmaterials.com