CEMLOOP XL is an industrial initiative developed in Belgium by Etex and Heidelberg Materials Benelux, with support from the European LIFE programme, aimed at transforming fibre cement waste into a valuable resource for low-carbon cement production. The project seeks to close the material loop through a circular process combining recycling and carbon capture, moving beyond the traditional linear approach that has long characterised the sector.
The process consists of three stages: fibre cement waste is first converted into Recycled Fibre Cement Paste (RFCP), then treated with CO₂ captured from kiln flue gases to restore its cementitious properties, and finally reused as a partial clinker substitute in the production of new low-carbon cement. Rather than simply diverting waste, the project returns recycled material directly into the same manufacturing cycle.
According to figures released by the project partners, CEMLOOP XL is expected to prevent 60,000 tonnes of fibre cement waste annually, save approximately 100,000 tonnes of limestone, reduce cement production CO₂ emissions by at least 20%, and lower process energy consumption by 15%. The initiative also highlights a potential capture or avoidance rate of around 900 kg of CO₂ per tonne of RFCP processed.
The project spans two strategic sites in Belgium: Hemiksem, where Etex is constructing the fibre cement recycling facility, and Lixhe, where Heidelberg Materials Benelux is developing the carbonation process to produce a secondary raw material suitable for new cement manufacture. Publicly available information indicates that the recycling plant is expected to become operational by mid-2026, while the dedicated carbonation reactor is scheduled for completion in 2028.
For the bulk material handling sector, projects such as CEMLOOP XL demonstrate how the transition towards circular materials and low-carbon production processes is creating new opportunities and technical requirements for the storage, conveying, feeding and dosing of recycled materials throughout the manufacturing chain.
