Circularity strategies in the cement industry

Challenges and opportunities for co-processing in Rio Grande do Sul

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46421/euroelecs.v6.8082

Keywords:

Circular economy, Co-processing, Waste Utilization, Cement Industry

Abstract

The construction industry is one of the highest generators of environmental impacts, and it faces significant challenges in achieving higher levels of sustainability in its processes. Among the most polluting processes in the construction industry, cement production stands out, due to the characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how the impacts of the cement industry can be minimized by strategies, such as circularity and understanding regional production characteristics. This study aims to explore the perspectives on waste availability in Rio Grande do Sul, considering its generation trends, which can be utilized as a partial replacement for clinker and as an alternative fuel by the cement industry. To this end, data on waste generation by industries in Rio Grande do Sul between 2018 and 2023 were analyzed comparatively and critically. The analysis carried out revealed that there are wastes with characteristics and availability patterns that align with the needs of cement production, such as lime sludge and textile waste. These residues have potential for co-processing, aligning with the sustainability strategies of other industries, and offering opportunities for circularity in cement production.

Author Biographies

Ruane Fernandes de Magalhães, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

PhD in Engineering from the Graduate Program in Production Engineering (PPGEP) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul. Assistant Professor A in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

Daniela Govoni Sotelo, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

PhD in Engineering and Materials Technology, working with the Nanostructures Group (NanoPUC) at the Research and Development Center in Physics and the Interdisciplinary Group of Applied Geophysics (GIGA).

Matheus Henrique Gomes de Medeiros, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

PhD candidate in the Civil Engineering Program: Construction and Infrastructure (PPGCI) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS).

João Pedro Martins Bueno, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

Undergraduate student in Economics at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

Ana Paula Kirchheim, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul

PhD in Civil Engineering from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, with a doctoral internship abroad at the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering – University of California, Berkeley. Associate Professor IV in the Department of Civil Engineering and permanent faculty member of the Graduate Program in Civil Engineering: Construction and Infrastructure (PPGCI-NORIE) at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul.

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Published

15-10-2025

How to Cite

Magalhães, R. F. de, Sotelo, D. G., Medeiros, M. H. G. de, Bueno, J. P. M., & Kirchheim, A. P. (2025). Circularity strategies in the cement industry: Challenges and opportunities for co-processing in Rio Grande do Sul. Latin American and European Meeting on Sustainable Buildings and Communities, 6(1), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.46421/euroelecs.v6.8082

Issue

Vol. 6 (2025): Encontro Latino-americano e Europeu sobre Edificações e Comunidades Sustentáveis (euroELECS)

Section

Materiais, Técnicas e Sistemas Construtivos Sustentáveis

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