Chelm Cement Plant
| This article is part of the Global Cement and Concrete Tracker, a project of Global Energy Monitor. |
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Background
In 1997, the UK-based Rugby Group plc acquired a 34% stake in Cementownia Chełm, marking its entry into the Polish market. This investment provided Rugby Group with the option to increase its ownership to 75%, aiming to enhance its presence in Central Europe. In 1999, the Chełm plant underwent a significant modernization with the installation of a new clinker production line designed by FLSmidth. This upgrade introduced a semi-dry kiln process, enhancing production efficiency and product quality. Starting in 2001, the plant invested in infrastructure to utilize alternative fuels, including the construction of storage facilities and the implementation of a kiln gas by-pass system. In 2005, CEMEX, a global building materials company headquartered in Mexico, acquired the RMC Group, which had previously merged with Rugby Group. This acquisition incorporated the Chełm Cement Plant into CEMEX's portfolio.The Chełm Cement Plant was among the first in Poland to adopt the use of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF). Collaborating with the waste recycling company EkoPaliwa, the plant has established a system where high-calorific waste is processed into RDF, contributing to sustainable waste management and energy efficiency. By 2020, the decarbonization efforts resulted in over 93% of the plant's energy for clinker production being derived from alternative fuels. In March 2022, the Building Research Institute issued Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all six cement types produced at the Chełm plant. As of June 2024, the Chełm plant achieved a cumulative production milestone of over 100 million tonnes of cement since its inception.
