Egypt Pursues Sustainable Cement Production with Alternative Fuel Use

Egypt is accelerating its commitment to sustainable industrial practices, with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi directing a push for alternative fuel utilization in cement factories. This move aligns with the country’s environmental goals and seeks to minimize the industry’s environmental impact. The directive was highlighted during the fifth meeting of the Ministerial Group for Industrial Development, where officials discussed various topics related to industrial development and sustainability. The meeting saw the presentation of a detailed plan for the industrial zone in the New Alamein City, including updates on the Egyptian Holding Company for Petrochemicals project in Alamein, focusing on petrochemicals and silicon. Emphasis was placed on President Sisi’s directives to prohibit soda ash production in the industrial zone to protect the environment. The meeting also reviewed progress on the use of alternative fuels, revealing that 850,000 tons of alternative fuel were used in the previous year, fulfilling a 10% target for 11 cement plants. Plans are in place to increase this to between 1.3 and 1.5 million tons this year, with further participation from cement manufacturers. The Ministry of Environment highlighted that this increased usage is attributed to the recent commissioning of waste treatment plants, supported by a 5 million Egyptian pound allocation from the public budget. The meeting also addressed issues related to land ownership in industrial zones, the development of the Mattareya Industrial Zone in Minya, and measures to enhance Egyptian exports, particularly to Turkey.