Cemex trials unique electric-powered discharge equipment to cut emissions and increase vehicle longevity

The system, the brainchild of a Cemex employee, has been trialled in Cemex’s UK cement operation, where it has performed effortlessly. Not only has the use of electricity to power the discharge equipment cut emissions, but it has enabled a faster turnaround and significantly quieter delivery. Longer-term, vehicle wear and tear are also reduced.
The benefit to the environment of incorporating this equipment into a commercial fleet is considerable; the trial has demonstrated a potential saving of over 4000kg of CO2 in a year, per vehicle using the system, as well as 330 gallons of fuel. 
Matthew Wild, Vice President of Supply Chain and Procurement for Cemex EMEA, commented: “We have been very impressed with the results of the initial trial of the electric discharge equipment in our cement business. Every single delivery that uses this system to discharge cement, rather than the tanker’s own fuel, saves 13.5kg of CO2; if this equipment was used across our fleet over a full year the difference to our supply chain emissions would be considerable.”
The idea for this new discharge equipment came from Nigel Ponton, National Fleet Engineer for the UK business. He worked with supplier Gardner Denver to create the system, which is mounted onto the tractor unit and simply requires three-phase connection to pressurise the tank and allow discharge to silo. This means no additional equipment or investment is needed at the customer’s site.
Matthew added: “We believe that every member of our workforce plays a role in ensuring we reach our goal of operating as a net zero company by 2050. The development and trial of this idea demonstrates that nurturing and investing into innovation in your business helps achieve your strategic priorities. Following the successful results of this trial, we are exploring incorporating it across our wider fleet, while also looking at land-based units which can be housed at site.”
Cemex believes that true carbon neutrality can only be achieved by encouraging innovation and discovering breakthrough technologies. This is an important pillar of its dedicated climate action strategy; Future in Action. 
For more information, visit: www.cemex.co.uk   

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Notes to Editors: 

Cemex announced its Climate Action strategy; ‘Future in Action – Committed to Net Zero CO2’ in February 2020, along with updated targets in November 2022 and as part of this, by 2030 it plans:
•    To be below 430kg of CO2 per ton of cementitious material, equivalent to a 47% reduction*.
•    To reduce the carbon content per cubic meter of concrete to 165kg, equivalent to a 35% reduction.
•    To reach 65% in clean electricity consumption by 2030.
•    To reduce Scope 3 transport emissions by 30% by 2030.
•    For Vertua lower-carbon to account for majority (50%+) of cement and concrete sales by 2025.
•    To manage up to 40M tons of waste per year by 2030.

* According to our 1990 baseline

About Cemex:
Cemex is a global construction materials company that is building a better future through sustainable products and solutions. Cemex is committed to achieving carbon neutrality through relentless innovation and industry-leading research and development. Cemex is at the forefront of the circular economy in the construction value chain and is pioneering ways to increase the use of waste and residues as alternative raw materials and fuels in its operations with the use of new technologies. 
Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanisation solutions in growing markets around the world, powered by a multinational workforce focused on providing a superior customer experience, enabled by digital technologies.
For more information please visit: www.cemex.com