Cement manufacturing is transforming fast – driven by decarbonisation, digitalisation, and evolving standards. Here’s a clear look at what mattered in 2025 and what to expect in 2026, so the Ohorongo Family can plan, specify, and build with confidence.
2025: THE YEAR LOW-CARBON CEMENT WENT MAINSTREAM
CCUS moved from pilots to reality
Heidelberg Materials inaugurated Brevik CCS in Norway, the world’s first industrial-scale carbon capture facility in cement, with 2025 “net-zero” output fully pre-sold and CO₂ shipped to Northern Lights storage. This marks a genuine commercial step, not just a demo.
Strong policy signals raised the stakes
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enters its definitive phase on 1 January 2026, when importers will have to surrender CBAM certificates, turning reporting into real cost. Expect global ripple effects on trade and product carbon disclosure.
Blended cements and SCMs accelerated
Standards enabling lower-clinker cements continued to spread: e.g., Europe’s EN 197-5 for CEM II/C-M and CEM VI, plus rapid adoption of Portland-Limestone Cement (PLC/Type IL) (up to 15% limestone) in the U.S. These pathways cut CO₂ with proven performance.
LC³ gained momentum
Limestone-Calcined Clay Cement (LC³) moved closer to scale, offering up to ~40% CO₂ reduction and good fit for regions with suitable clays, relevant across Africa.
Alternative fuels (AF/TSR) kept rising
Producers reported higher thermal substitution rates using engineered waste-derived fuels, helping reduce fossil fuel reliance while maintaining kiln stability.
Plants got smarter with AI & advanced control
Predictive maintenance and process optimisation (kilns, mills, crushers) delivered fewer stoppages and steadier quality, with vendors and case studies proliferating in 2025.
WHAT TO WATCH IN 2026: FIVE PREDICTIONS
More CCUS offtakes & first cross-border CO₂ chains
With Brevik setting the pace and storage capacity expanding, expect more offtake contracts and integration into shipping/pipeline networks, especially in Europe and the UK.
CBAM impacts pricing & specs
As CBAM goes live with financial obligations, embedded-carbon transparency will matter more in procurement and bid documents, nudging markets toward lower-clinker and captured-carbon cements.
Rapid growth in PLC, CEM II/C-M, CEM VI & LC³
Given performance data and standards alignment, expect broader portfolio mixes with higher SCM content and increased LC³ trials in suitable geographies.
Hydrogen blending expands trials
Limited but notable hydrogen co-firing pilots will grow, focused on flame stability and NOx control while alternative fuels share increases. Costs remain a constraint, but learning curves improve.
AI everywhere in the plant
From raw-mix optimisation to anomaly detection on gearboxes and fans, AI-driven reliability becomes standard capex/opex planning, especially where grid or fuel costs are volatile.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR BUILDERS & SPECIFIERS IN NAMIBIA
- Specify lower-clinker options where standards allow (e.g., PLC/Type IL or equivalent classes under local codes). This is often the fastest CO₂ win without sacrificing performance.
- Ask for EPDs or carbon data when comparing products: this aligns with global procurement trends and may future-proof projects against policy shifts.
- Design for durability and lifecycle performance, long-lasting structures are core to real-world sustainability, not just upfront carbon numbers.
At Ohorongo Cement, we continually track these shifts and manufacture to rigorous standards, supporting Namibia’s infrastructure with consistent quality and technical advice.
Explore our Products, see our Sustainability commitments, or Contact us for project support.