Heidelberg Materials Egypt acquires minority stake in ZeroCarbon to accelerate decarbonization
Heidelberg Materials Egypt has acquired a minority stake in ZeroCarbon, a leading Egyptian decarbonization company specialized in waste management and the production of alternative fuels. This strategic investment marks a significant step forward in advancing decarbonization and a more circular economy in Egypt.
As one of Egypt’s leading cement producers, Heidelberg Materials Egypt will strengthen its access to a reliable and sustainable source of alternative fuels, while reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuels. The investment reinforces the company’s commitment to low-carbon building solutions and advances its ambition to increase the share of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) beyond 30% of its total alternative fuel consumption.
“Decarbonization is not only about reducing emissions; it is about transforming the way resources are used across our industry. Heidelberg Materials Egypt’s investment in ZeroCarbon reflects our commitment to producing more sustainable building materials while contributing to global and national sustainability goals,” said Mohamed Hegazy, CEO of Heidelberg Materials Egypt.
The investment will further strengthen ZeroCarbon’s growth and production capabilities, supporting the development of a new RDF production facility in 10th of Ramadan City and the enhancement of existing sites. These projects are expected to significantly expand ZeroCarbon’s alternative fuel production capacity, supporting the company’s planned growth in RDF and biomass production and increasing the availability of alternative fuels in the Egyptian market.
Magdi Kassabgui, Chairman of ZeroCarbon, stated: “This partnership is the culmination of nearly 30 years of working with the cement industry, including Heidelberg Materials. The trust built over those years gives us a foundation to address one of the industry’s defining challenges: lowering the carbon footprint of cement production. Through ZeroCarbon, we are putting our commitment to Egypt’s people and environment into action, repurposing waste into energy and helping build more resilient communities.”
Karim Elsabee, CEO of ZeroCarbon, added: “Heidelberg Materials Egypt’s investment is a major milestone for ZeroCarbon and cement decarbonization in Egypt. This partnership will help us expand RDF production and develop Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) to reduce clinker use and carbon emissions. Our planned 10th of Ramadan facility and upgrades to existing sites will strengthen our alternative fuel operations. Through our subsidiary Ready Rocks, we will use our mining and industrial minerals expertise to develop high-quality SCMs. Our goal is to deliver reliable, large-scale solutions that help Egypt’s cement industry reduce its carbon footprint.”
Combining Heidelberg Materials Egypt’s global industrial, technical and operational capabilities with ZeroCarbon’s local expertise in waste management and alternative fuel production creates a strong platform to advance the development of Egypt’s alternative fuels market. ZeroCarbon aims to expand production capacity, strengthen technical and operational capabilities, improve the quality and efficiency of RDF production, and promote the adoption of international best practices.
Aligned with Heidelberg Materials’ global sustainability strategy, the investment strengthens the company’s ability to advance circularity, reduce reliance on conventional fossil fuels and accelerate the use of alternative fuels in cement production. It also complements Heidelberg Materials Egypt’s ongoing local investments in sustainability through alternative fuels, waste heat recovery and lower-carbon building solutions, among others, reinforcing its commitment to building a more sustainable future for Egypt.
This partnership comes at a time when Egypt is accelerating its transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient economy under its National Climate Change Strategy 2050, which aims to achieve sustainable economic growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions across key sectors. The strategy places emphasis on increasing the use of alternative energy sources, improving energy efficiency and promoting more sustainable waste management and resource use.
By transforming waste into a valuable resource for industrial applications, Heidelberg Materials Egypt and ZeroCarbon are advancing Egypt’s decarbonization ambitions.
