TÜRKÇİMENTO Highlights Triple Transformation on World Environment Day

TURKCIMENTO, the roof organization of Turkey's cement sector, shared the sector's progress on its sustainability journey and future vision on the occasion of 5 June World Environment Day. The sector continues its work in line with the "triple transformation" approach encompassing green transition, digitalization and human-centered development, thereby contributing to climate targets while accelerating investments that will increase global competitive strength.

TURKCIMENTO Chief Executive Officer Volkan Bozay stated that the cement sector views sustainability not merely as an environmental responsibility but also as one of the fundamental components of competitive strength, offering the following assessment:

"As the cement sector, we consider green transition, sustainable growth and our competitive strength as inseparable parts of our strategy. We are building the future by addressing digitalization, sustainability and human-centered development together. Through the use of alternative fuels and raw materials as well as renewable energy investments, we are reducing our environmental impact while making our production capacity more efficient and competitive."

Circular Economy Practices Expanding
The Turkish cement sector continues to reduce natural resource consumption in production processes in line with a circular economy approach while integrating waste from different sectors into the economy.

According to 2025 data, alternative fuel use in the sector reached 2.3 million tonnes. This means that approximately 13.2% of total thermal energy requirements were met from alternative fuels. In the same period, the use of 7.7 million tonnes of alternative raw materials contributed to the conservation of natural resources while increasing resource efficiency.

Renewable Energy and Waste Heat Recovery Take Center Stage
Despite its energy-intensive production structure, the cement sector continues its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint through renewable energy investments. Thanks to solar and wind energy investments as well as waste heat recovery systems, approximately 10% of the sector's electricity consumption is met from renewable and recovered energy sources.

Within the scope of waste heat recovery technologies, 27 units operating in 17 factories today have a total installed capacity of 164.5 MW. This capacity generates energy equivalent to the daily electricity consumption of approximately 658,000 households and 2.6 million people, while meeting approximately 30% of the electricity requirements of the relevant facilities.

Energy efficiency applications and alternative energy sources improve the sector's environmental performance while supporting its international competitiveness.

Green Transition and Competitive Strength Move Forward Together
With the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) entering the financial liability phase, low-carbon production is becoming an indispensable requirement of global trade.

The Turkish cement sector is preparing for this transition through low-carbon production technologies, alternative fuel use, energy efficiency projects and digital monitoring systems.

USD 30 Billion Transformation for 2053 Net Zero Target
In line with Turkey's Cement Sector Low-Carbon Roadmap prepared under the coordination of the Ministry of Industry and Technology, the sector continues its work toward achieving net zero emissions by 2053.

Within the scope of the roadmap, approximately USD 30 billion in investment is envisaged by 2053 in the areas of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies (CCUS), alternative energy sources, energy efficiency applications and innovative production technologies.

Volkan Bozay emphasized that sustainability and competitive strength can no longer be considered separately, stating:

"The European Green Deal, the CBAM and new carbon regulations are accelerating transformation in industry. As the Turkish cement sector, we view this process not as a risk but as a strategic opportunity that will advance our country's production capacity and export capability. Through our work spanning carbon capture technologies to renewable energy investments, from energy efficiency to digital transformation, we are fulfilling our environmental responsibilities while contributing to Turkey's sustainable development targets."

TURKCIMENTO will continue to contribute to Turkey's sustainable development targets by pursuing its work in environmentally friendly production, digital transformation, resource efficiency and human-centered development.