New investment supports waste-to-fuel technology aimed at decarbonizing cement manufacturing
Cemex Ventures has announced a renewed Cemex Ventures WtEnergy investment, strengthening its backing of Waste to Energy Advanced Solutions (WtEnergy), a startup specializing in converting non-recyclable solid waste and biomass into clean energy.
The move reinforces Cemex’s strategy to integrate alternative fuels and low-carbon energy solutions into its global clinker and cement manufacturing operations, a central pillar of its long-term decarbonization roadmap.
Scaling Waste-to-Fuel Technology
WtEnergy’s proprietary technology upgrades non-recyclable waste streams into:
- Low-carbon syngas
- Clean hydrogen
- Other bio-based products
The latest capital injection is intended to accelerate commercialization and scale deployment of the solution, positioning it as a viable energy alternative for heavy industry.
Cemex Ventures stated that advancing technologies capable of transforming waste into clean fuels is critical to reducing emissions across the construction value chain.
Backed by EU Innovation Funding
The decision to expand investment follows significant institutional recognition of WtEnergy’s technology.
Key milestones include:
€4.4 Million EU Innovation Fund Grant
WtEnergy, in collaboration with Cemex, secured funding from the European Union Innovation Fund to further develop its advanced waste-to-fuel conversion platform. The grant underscores the technology’s scalability and its relevance for industrial decarbonization.
Leadership of the HYIELD Hydrogen Project
WtEnergy is leading the HYIELD project at Cemex’s Alcanar plant in Spain. The initiative, supported by a €10 million Horizon Europe grant, focuses on transforming bio-residues into high-purity clean hydrogen.
The project strengthens WtEnergy’s position in Europe’s clean hydrogen ecosystem and demonstrates practical integration within cement production facilities.
Supporting Cemex’s Net-Zero Strategy
The expanded Cemex Ventures WtEnergy investment aligns with Cemex’s “Future in Action” program, which targets net-zero CO₂ emissions by 2050.
A key lever in Cemex’s 2030 decarbonization roadmap—validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) under the 1.5°C pathway—is increasing the use of alternative fuels with high biomass content.
By converting waste streams into usable clean energy, WtEnergy’s technology directly contributes to:
- Lower fossil fuel dependence
- Reduced process emissions
- Greater circularity within cement production
Circular Economy as a Strategic Imperative
The construction sector remains one of the most carbon-intensive industries globally. Technologies that enable waste valorization and renewable fuel substitution are increasingly viewed as essential to meeting climate targets.
Cemex Ventures, launched in 2017 as the corporate venture capital arm of Cemex, focuses on scaling innovation across the construction ecosystem, particularly solutions that promote sustainability and operational efficiency.
The renewed investment signals confidence in WtEnergy’s technical progress and its potential to support cleaner industrial energy systems at scale.
About the Companies
Cemex Ventures invests in startups addressing critical challenges in the construction industry through sustainability-driven innovation.
Cemex is a global building materials company committed to carbon neutrality through innovation, circular economy practices and alternative fuel adoption across cement, ready-mix concrete and aggregates operations worldwide.
