Over the past 30 years, the MENA region has experienced a sustained surge in urbanisation. In particular, the Gulf states have undergone rapid transformations, evident in the evolving skylines of cities such as Riyadh, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Kuwait City. Elsewhere, Cairo, Erbil, and Amman also reflect this urban expansion, alongside ambitious plans for new urban centres like Egypt’s new administrative capital and Saudi Arabia’s futuristic Neom city.
These urbanisation projects have made the cement industry one of the region’s most crucial sectors. Cement is a cornerstone of infrastructure and housing development. In Saudi Arabia alone, cement sales reached 12.84 million tonnes, reflecting a 5% year-on-year increase.
However, environmental concerns and growing advocacy for green industrial policies are exerting pressure on the cement industry to innovate for sustainability.
The Problem
Cement production is an energy-intensive process at every stage. Initially, limestone, clay, and shale are crushed into fine powders, requiring grinders, crushers, and conveyors powered by electricity. While this phase consumes significant energy, the next stage is far more demanding.
The crushed materials are heated in kilns at temperatures of up to 1,450°C to break down limestone (calcium carbonate) into calcium oxide and carbon dioxide, producing cement clinker – the fundamental component of cement. This process alone generates substantial carbon dioxide emissions, with cement production globally accounting for 7–8% of CO2 emissions.
Though this figure may appear modest compared to vehicle emissions, its cumulative effect in densely populated urban areas exacerbates the urban heat island phenomenon. For a region already enduring some of the highest global temperatures during summer, this poses serious public health risks. Research from Middle Eastern cities shows that 11 million people face severe heat stress, particularly in low-altitude Gulf cities.
Baghdad is particularly vulnerable due to a lack of any heat mitigation initiatives. Residents rely on makeshift solutions and avoidance strategies.
Across the Middle East and North Africa, heatstroke claims 8,900 lives annually, with Egypt ranking highest due to its dense population and clustered settlements, which intensify urban heat islands.
Speaking to ESG Mena, Dr Zeina Zeidan, an expert in corporate governance and ESG practices who serves as an independent board member at Lafarge-Holcim Lebanon, highlights the major obstacles to decarbonising cement production in the region:
“The biggest challenges to decarbonising cement production in the MEA include the high carbon intensity of traditional cement, the limited availability of alternative materials like geopolymer or magnesium-based cement, and the heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy. Additionally, the economic costs of transitioning to cleaner technologies, the lack of robust regulatory frameworks, and the need for infrastructure upgrades to support renewable energy or alternative fuel are significant hurdles.”
Green Cement Solutions
In order to make cement production more sustainable, the primary focus is reducing carbon dioxide emissions throughout the process. A key area of innovation is the clinker production stage, which can be addressed through the introduction of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). These include fly ash, slag, and natural pozzolans, derived from volcanic rocks, collectively known as geopolymer cement.
Certain SCMs, such as fly ash, enhance cement by reducing its permeability and increasing its durability. This results in stronger, long-lasting structures resistant to dampness. Palm oil fuel ash, with its pozzolanic properties, is another promising alternative, as it involves lower heating requirements, thereby reducing CO2 emissions.
Existing kilns can also be retrofitted with carbon capture technology to filter CO2 from exhaust air. However, these systems remain expensive and require further development for widespread, reliable adoption. Raw material availability and regional supply chain inefficiencies also limit progress.
Paul Adeleke, Strategy, Communications and Policy Director at the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), informs ESG Mena about the critical role of SCMs in reducing emissions:
“A key decarbonisation lever across the world is use of supplementary cementitious materials to reduce the clinker content in cement and concrete. Fly ash and GGBS are the most widespread in their use, but limestone is increasingly being adopted in different countries. Arguably this is the quickest and easiest to implement because the cement industry itself has direct access to the material supply. Calcined clays are forecast to play an increasing role towards the end of this decade and are critical to decarbonisation as we approach 2050. Finally, research continues to develop new sources of SCMs, particularly from wastes.”
Gulf states are better positioned to invest aggressively in such technologies and phase out older, less efficient methods. However, the associated costs are likely to be passed on to property buyers and renters, potentially driving up real estate prices and destabilising the market if not carefully managed.
Dr Zeidan identifies several innovative solutions that could significantly cut emissions:
“Promising technologies to reduce CO2 emissions in cement manufacturing include carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), alternative clinker materials like geopolymer and magnesium-based cements, and the electrification of cement kilns using renewable energy. Other strategies include using low-carbon concrete and blended cements, waste heat recovery systems, and incorporating alternative fuels or renewable energy sources such as solar and wind into the production process.”
Magnesia-based cements present another viable alternative, as they do not require a complete overhaul of existing production infrastructure. These cements use magnesium carbonate as a raw material, emitting roughly 50% less carbon during the heating process due to lower required temperatures. However, limited raw material availability and undeveloped supply chains currently make production prohibitively expensive.
Regional Efforts and Innovations
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the way in regional decarbonisation efforts, particularly in geopolymer cement. In October 2024, an agreement between UK-based Next Generation SCM and Saudi Arabia’s City Cement, through its subsidiary Nizak Mining Co., sought to establish domestic production of geopolymer precursors like fly ash.
This collaboration claims a 99% reduction in CO2 emissions, cutting emissions to just 8 kg per tonne of calcination product compared to 600 kg. If scaled and streamlined, this could serve as a model for other states. Saudi Arabia’s abundant raw material reserves position it as a potential major cement exporter. According to the Boston Consulting Group, the kingdom could capitalise on these reserves to attract further investment in the sector.
The GCCA has also introduced initiatives to accelerate regional decarbonisation as Adeleke explains:
“The GCCA has developed a Net Zero Roadmap Accelerator to help national cement and concrete industries develop their specific roadmaps, with a methodology that is in line with the 2050 GCCA Net Zero Global Roadmap. The accelerators involve working with local industry and policymakers to identify key actions and implement global roadmap levers at a national and regional level.”
“This includes encouraging government policies that can have an immediate impact, such as better recycling, the use of waste as an alternative to fossil fuels, and other circular economy practices. It also includes identifying lighthouse projects that can eliminate emissions over the next decades, such as carbon capture utilisation and storage technologies.”
Regarding the feasibility of alternative cement adoption in the region, Dr Zeidan notes:
“The adoption of alternative cement solutions in the MEA region depends on the availability of raw materials, such as fly ash for geopolymers and magnesium-rich minerals for magnesium-based cement. While the region has some access to these materials, cost and technological maturity remain barriers. Additionally, local climate conditions and the need for robust regulatory support could influence the feasibility, but government incentives and market readiness could drive faster adoption in the long term.”
Saudi Arabia is also exploring magnesium reserves for construction applications. However, challenges such as raw material transport and water sensitivity must be addressed to unlock its full potential. This has led to its classification as that of ‘low potential’, but it seems likely that avenues will be sought as part of Vision 2030 to include industries beyond construction.
The UAE has focused on pozzolanic materials for sustainable cement. The Abu Dhabi Investment Office has partnered with international firm Partanna to establish a green cement production facility in the capital. Although details remain scarce, Partanna’s process reportedly uses desalination brine and industrial waste to produce carbon-neutral cement.
Despite the UAE’s interest in green cement, government-directed initiatives have been limited. Incentives across the supply chain could encourage developers and contractors to adopt sustainable cement, mirroring Saudi Arabia’s progress. Such efforts could lay the foundation for a robust export industry in the UAE.
Challenges to Scaling Sustainable Cement
Companies aiming to scale sustainable cement solutions in the Middle East face several challenges, including inconsistent regulations, limited supply chain readiness, and higher costs compared to traditional cement.
While some countries have ambitious sustainability targets, Amr Nader, Co-Founder & CEO at A³&Co., explains that the absence of clear carbon regulations and financial incentives slows down investment. He points out that while demand for greener solutions is increasing, many developers remain reluctant due to cost concerns and market perceptions of sustainable cement’s performance.
He also highlights the urgency of capitalising on the short-term advantage Middle Eastern producers have in exporting low-carbon cement to Europe under the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). With many plants in the region already operating at a lower carbon intensity due to reliance on natural gas, there is an opportunity to secure a foothold in the European market.
However, he warns that this advantage is time-sensitive. Without swift regulatory alignment and a stronger circular economy framework, Middle Eastern cement exporters risk losing ground as the EU strengthens its own green production capacity.
Market Demand for Sustainable Cement
The demand for sustainable cement is growing, but at a slower pace than needed to meet net-zero ambitions. Governments, international developers, and ESG-driven investors are pushing for greener solutions, but many local developers and contractors still prioritise cost efficiency over sustainability.
However, with stricter regulations, increased awareness, and financial incentives, the market could shift more decisively in favor of sustainable alternatives.
A³&Co.’s Nader tells ESG Mena:
“The path to sustainable cement in the Middle East is not just about technology—it’s about economics, regulation, and market mindset. The demand is growing, but for real impact, incentives must align with ambition, and industry players must see sustainability as a business opportunity, not just a compliance requirement. The region has a short-term advantage in exporting greener cement to Europe, but without regulatory clarity and a circular economy framework, this window may close before the full potential is realised.”
Towards decarbonization
It is apparent that some MENA countries are set to become big global players in the cement market. In line with long-term decarbonization plans set by several states, local innovations in the green cement market can not only answer and resolve critical sustainability issues but also set the stage for industrial development for a potentially high-income export.
Merit-based appointments and collaboration with scientists and academics could foster innovation tailored to the region’s unique climate and challenges. With the right leadership, MENA firms could spearhead a more sustainable future for the global cement industry.
By: Omar Ahmed