Cemex and Orcan Energy extend existing waste heat recovery collaboration to a broad decarbonisation partnership
The global construction materials company Cemex and Orcan Energy AG, the leading cleantech company turning waste heat into clean electricity, will analyze the scale-up of the heat-to-power solutions pioneered by Orcan Energy in parallel at several Cemex plants to capitalize on the benefits resulting from a portfolio of installations. The representative findings will be collected to draw a holistic picture for an upcoming global waste heat recovery program. The portfolio approach with detailed multi-site data collection allows the partners to efficiently and quickly deploy Orcan Energy’s modular applications at scale in the second phase of the collaboration.
Sergio Menéndez, President of Cemex Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia, said: “We already have an initial collaboration with Orcan. Based on the modularity of their solution, Orcan offers the flexibility of both installation and contracts. Thanks to this crucial flexibility, we can adapt to any upcoming changes in our plants. The approach enables us to reduce carbon emissions right now without limiting ourselves in implementing any future technologies such as Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage. This partnership will help us achieve our sustainability targets and contribute to our aim to use all available heat.”
Andreas Sichert, CEO of Orcan Energy, said: “We are looking forward to entering this large-scale decarbonization partnership with Cemex after our initial cooperation in Germany. This step is a testament to Cemex’s forward-looking strategy and the company’s commitment to achieving net zero. For Orcan Energy, this is another milestone in scaling the business internationally with global enterprises. We are proud to be the partner of choice for the cement industry. Our large footprint across the industry shows the economic capability and the technical excellence of our modular and flexible solution, especially in view of uncertain future economic and regulative developments.”
In 2021, Cemex and Orcan Energy started their first joint project in Rüdersdorf, Germany, near Berlin, with the installation of six waste heat recovery modules which could produce up to 8,000 megawatt hours per year, reducing CO2 emissions by more than 3,000 tons. Following this ongoing cooperation, the companies decided to enter a large-scale decarbonization partnership, exploring the deployment of waste heat recovery solutions in several further sites, multiplying today’s electricity savings and CO2 reductions.
In industrial production, usually 30-60% of the energy is lost in the form of heat. Cement production is particularly energy and CO2-intensive. Therefore, the cement industry is actively searching for ways to reduce carbon emissions and utilize its waste heat. Modular waste heat recovery technology is a proven and commercially viable energy efficiency solution that can be flexibly installed in several applications. The heat-to-power modules can be placed at the pre-heater as well as the clinker cooler. Both heat sources can either be utilized combined or separately. If the waste heat availability changes over time, the modules can be redeployed at other waste heat sources and sites or even be returned. Thanks to this flexibility, various other heat users can be included in the future – the heat extraction will retain its value in any event.
-ENDS-
About Orcan Energy
Orcan Energy AG develops, produces, distributes and finances energy modules for the conversion of waste heat into clean and cheap electricity and constructs them on a turnkey basis, including the installation required for waste heat extraction. Orcan Energy's products tap into the enormous global waste heat potential and enable customers to save CO2 emissions and costs at the same time. Orcan Energy unlocks the energy potential of unused heat sources based on second-generation Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) technology. By massively downsizing the established technology and developing a modular solution, Orcan Energy is turning small and medium-sized waste heat sources, as well as lower temperatures into economically viable options for the first time. As a result, the modules can be installed directly wherever excess heat is generated, for example in industrial processes, in engines, on ships or even in geothermal plants. Orcan Energy's solutions are already helping companies in the cement, oil and gas, power generation, and marine sectors to achieve their sustainability goals, reduce costs and comply with future regulations. Thanks to flexible financing models, companies can save cash-flow-positive electricity or fuel costs with waste heat power generation from day one. Orcan Energy has already marketed more than 650 modules with over 7 million operating hours internationally. The company has more than 60 employees and is headquartered in Munich, Germany.
For more information about the company, its products and applications, visit www.orcan-energy.com.
About Cemex
CEMEX R&D, Innovation and Business Development projects are part of the global R&D collaboration network, headed by CEMEX Research Centers, based in Switzerland.
Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V. (“Cemex”) (NYSE: CX) 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 help of new technologies. Cemex offers cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, and urbanization 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.