Researchers at Adelaide University reviewed 211 studies on using refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in cement production. RDF is made from combustible waste that cannot be recycled, and it can replace some of the coal and fossil fuels that cement kilns burn to reach extreme heat. The review found growing global interest in co-processing RDF, but it also flagged two big problems: inconsistent fuel quality and unclear regulations. Cement production accounts for an estimated 8% of global CO2 emissions. The authors say RDF is not a silver bullet. Even with waste-derived fuel, manufacturers need consistent fuel standards, clear rules, and better data on environmental and economic performance. The review also notes that RDF and solid recovered fuel (SRF) are often confused, which makes it harder to compare studies and set reliable quality benchmarks. For anyone tracking industrial decarbonization, the takeaway is that waste-to-fuel can support lower fossil fuel use in cement, but only if standards and regulations catch up. The full paper is published in the International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation.
