Can waste-derived fuel cut cement's carbon footprint? What RDF co-processing means for low-carbon cement

Cement production accounts for roughly 8% of global CO2 emissions because kilns need extreme heat. Australian researchers reviewed over 200 studies and found that refuse-derived fuel made from non-recyclable waste could replace some fossil fuel in cement kilns, while keeping waste out of landfills. But the review warns that RDF quality and regulation are inconsistent, and RDF is often confused with solid recovered fuel. Clear standards are needed before cement makers can rely on it. The study was published in the International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation. For anyone tracking industrial decarbonization, this is a useful reminder that fuel switching alone will not fix cement. Emissions also come from the chemical reaction in clinker production, and waste-derived fuels still release CO2 when burned. The near-term value is in reducing landfill pressure and displacing coal or petcoke, not in making cement zero-carbon.