Cemex, a global leader in the building materials industry, has announced a partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation to accelerate circular economy efforts in the built environment. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Network is the world’s leading circular economy network, collaborating with ambitious organizations worldwide. This partnership signifies a major step forward in integrating circular economy principles into the construction sector.
Since the launch of its Regenera business in 2023, Cemex has focused on extending product life cycles and reducing the use of virgin materials. Regenera provides circularity solutions that help in recycling and reusing materials, thereby minimizing waste. Fernando A. González, CEO of Cemex, emphasized that this partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation would further strengthen Cemex’s leadership in transitioning the built environment towards a circular economy.
Joe Murphy, Executive of the Business Network at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, highlighted the crucial role of the built environment sector in the circular economy transition. He expressed excitement about supporting Cemex's journey and showcasing innovative circular practices within the building materials industry. The United Nations found that in 2021, the buildings and construction sector accounted for approximately 37% of global CO₂ emissions. By incorporating circular economy principles, the sector could reduce global CO₂ emissions from building materials by 38% by 2050, creating more sustainable and livable urban areas.
A circular economy aims to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, and other global challenges by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation promotes three principles driven by design: eliminating waste and pollution, circulating products and materials at their highest value, and regenerating nature. These principles are fundamental to Cemex’s strategy and are being actively integrated through the Regenera business.
In 2023, Cemex’s Regenera successfully recovered over 9 million metric tons of construction and demolition waste, marking a 5% increase over the previous year. This waste was effectively utilized as raw materials for aggregates in concrete production, reintegrating them into the construction value chain and significantly reducing the environmental impact of the industry. This achievement underscores Cemex’s commitment to circularity and sustainability.
Regenera is a key component of Cemex's Future in Action program, which aims to achieve sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity, and natural resource management. The primary objective of this program is for Cemex to become a net-zero CO₂ company by 2050. This ambitious goal is supported by the company’s continuous efforts to innovate and implement circular economy practices.
The partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation will enable Cemex to scale these efforts further. By leveraging science-based research, advocacy, and coalition-building initiatives, Cemex aims to drive circularity forward in the building materials industry. This collaboration will also provide Cemex with access to a global network of like-minded organizations, fostering knowledge exchange and innovation.
Cemex’s commitment to the circular economy is not only beneficial for the environment but also enhances the resilience of the construction sector. By reducing dependency on virgin materials and mitigating supply chain disruptions, Cemex is paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient built environment. This partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a significant milestone in Cemex’s journey towards a circular and sustainable future.
