Limak Çimento's Anka Plant Becomes One of the World's Most Efficient Cement Facilities

Limak Çimento's Anka Plant, based on industrialized R&D projects and continuous process optimization, has established itself among the world's most energy-efficient cement production facilities.

The Anka Plant, which has hosted hydrogen usage testing for over a year, is positioned among global pioneers in this area, surpassing the EU cement sector average with alternative fuel consumption rates reaching 60%.

The plant, which began operations in 2018, has maintained its leadership position in Turkey's cement sector in terms of specific energy consumption since its establishment. Following a best-practice global approach, efficiency projects completed in the first quarter of 2025 included: reduction of clinker usage rates, optimization of grinding systems, and implementation of new single-chamber design in the RollerPress+Ball mill line. Through these measures, the plant reduced total specific energy consumption below 65 kWh/ton, reaching global best-in-class levels for energy efficiency and adding 80,000 tons of annual CO₂ emissions savings to its record.

Limak Çimento continues to redefine industry with environmental responsibility through its technology-driven sustainable transformation vision, both in Turkey and worldwide.

Limak Çimento continues to pioneer global climate technology projects. The innovation and sustainability-focused work conducted at the company's Anka Plant serves as a model for the global cement sector across numerous areas, from carbon-neutral fuel use to low energy consumption.

The Anka Plant, which began operations in 2018, has maintained its leadership position in Turkey's cement sector through continuous improvements in specific energy consumption since its establishment. Most recently, record-level efficiency gains achieved in cement grinding operations have enabled the Anka Plant to achieve the best result within global benchmarks.

Efficiency-Focused Grinding Optimization
The grinding optimization process, initiated in 2023 through collaboration between Limak Çimento Technical Center (LCTO) and Anka Plant experts, was carried out with advanced R&D support in the Ball Mill and Roller Press units. During the process, grinding support systems and strength-enhancing additives of different types and dosages were tested. Through these efforts, clinker usage in the high-strength product category was reduced from 82% to 75% with the same mineral additives. This represented a critical step toward Limak Çimento's decarbonization targets.

New Single-Chamber Design and Energy Gains
One of the cornerstones of efficiency improvement was the transition to a new single-chamber design in the ball mill. This new structure improved grinding efficiency by enabling more effective use of ball surface area. The next step focused on the roller press system, optimizing particle size distribution and improving mill performance. This reduced specific grinding power consumption (SPC), enabling the ball mill to operate more efficiently with finer material.

As a result of comprehensive work, specific energy consumption at the Anka Plant was reduced from 30 kWh/ton to 23 kWh/ton while achieving 3,800 Blaine fineness value. Through this remarkable success, the plant not only surpassed global competitors using only ball mills and HPGR systems; it also dropped below 65 kWh/ton in total specific cement production, establishing an extremely difficult new efficiency threshold in the global cement sector.

Concrete Gains in Sustainability and Carbon Footprint
Limak Çimento, aiming to reduce clinker usage without compromising product quality, also developed new and more efficient mix formulas during this process. This prevented tens of thousands of tons of carbon emissions annually through clinker ratio reduction.

Erkam Kocakerim, CEO of Limak Çimento Group, commented on the success achieved at the Anka Plant as follows:
"We believe we can only reach the most effective organic growth model of the modern world by continuously improving our scientific competence and innovation capacity. With this approach, in the efficiency area—one of our seven core decarbonization pillars—our R&D and Innovation Center LCTO and our skilled teams at our plants are continuously raising the bar through constant data analysis and system optimizations. The Anka Plant's achievements at global scale represent a strategic turning point in the efficiency pillar of our sustainability journey. As Limak Çimento, we will continue to steadfastly maintain our pioneering role in our sector with our roadmap focused on innovation, sustainability, and efficiency."