Low carbon concrete solution to land in Saudi Arabia as UK’s Next Generation SCM and Nizak Mining Co. partner

RIYADH: The first low-carbon concrete solution is set to land in Saudi Arabia as the UK’s Next Generation SCM and Nizak Mining Co., a subsidiary of City Cement, have formed a joint venture.

Aiming to produce market-sustainable supplementary cementitious materials regionally, the joint venture leverages advanced technology to create a premium SCM using a pioneering process that is highly energy efficient, consuming only one-sixth of the fuel required for conventional cement production. 

This process operates at lower temperatures, significantly reducing operational costs and cutting emissions. 

In its existing plant in Denmark, the technology can produce calcined clay while generating only 8 kg of carbon dioxide per ton — representing a 99 percent reduction compared to the International Energy Agency average of 600 kg per ton for traditional cement.

The first factory under this venture will be established in the capital, Riyadh, targeting the start of production by the third quarter of 2025. It is expected to produce 350,000 tonnes in its initial year, ramping up to 700,000 tonnes in the second year. 

The partnership aims to introduce innovative concrete solutions that significantly reduce carbon emissions, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals for sustainable infrastructure development. 

The Kingdom aims to cut carbon emissions by 278 million tonnes annually by 2030. This target is part of its Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, which focus on reducing emissions, increasing renewable energy production and implementing large-scale afforestation projects. 

The production of SCM through this joint venture aims to cut the carbon footprint of concrete significantly. 

While a cubic meter of traditional concrete typically emits 210 kg of CO2, this premium calcined clay SCM can cut emissions by up to 58 percent.

Christian Husum, CEO and founder of Next Generation SCM, emphasized the global impact of the technology. 

“There are over 4 billion people who live in urban areas right now, and that is going to increase by 2 billion over the next 30 years. This is a massive, global building project, which is equivalent to building an additional New York City every month,” he said. 

“There is also no way for our planet to cope with concrete production at that scale unless we find a way of producing it without generating enormous amounts of carbon emissions. Now, there is a way. This joint venture will put the process into practice to bring about a revolution in how we build everything from stadiums to skyscrapers in Saudi Arabia, the Middle East, and then the world,” Husum added. 

The initiative will introduce the patented CemTower technology, developed by Danish firm CemGreen, into the Gulf Cooperation Council market. This technology will expand the region’s capabilities in producing sustainable concrete solutions. 

Traditional SCM alternatives, such as fly ash and slag, are not locally available in Saudi Arabia, making this venture a crucial step for the domestic production of low-carbon materials. 

The joint venture between Next Generation SCM and City Cement is set to be the first in the Kingdom to produce premium calcined clay SCM, offering a strategic advantage for local and regional markets. 

“This joint venture is a significant step in our commitment to the continued growth of Saudi Arabia as a global materials and infrastructure hub. Not only will it support domestic job creation, it will also dramatically improve accessibility to a critical low-carbon material that we will soon be able to export around the region,” Majed Al-Osailan, CEO and board member of City Cement, said.