Geminor secures Norad funding for African plastic-waste-to-cement fuel initiative

AFRICA – Norway-based recycling and resource recovery company Geminor has secured a NOK5 million (US$0.52 million) grant from Norad to explore converting non-recyclable plastic waste in Africa into solid recovered fuel (SRF) for the cement industry.

The funding, provided through Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs under its Sustainable Oceans program, will support a feasibility study focused on establishing a processing hub capable of transforming difficult-to-recycle plastics into high-calorific SRF suitable for cement kilns.

The initiative aims to tackle marine plastic pollution while contributing to industrial decarbonization.

West Africa has been identified as a priority region, where up to 80% of plastic waste is estimated to be mismanaged, often ending up in open dumpsites or waterways.

By diverting this material into controlled energy recovery systems, Geminor intends to create a structured waste value chain that supports both environmental protection and industrial fuel substitution.

Although Africa currently accounts for a relatively modest share of global cement emissions, installed capacity across the continent is projected to rise significantly by 2030 in line with infrastructure and urbanization demands.

Many cement plants continue to rely heavily on coal and petcoke, while only a limited number are configured to co-process alternative fuels such as SRF.

The feasibility phase is being carried out in collaboration with Norwegian consultancy NORWASTE and South Africa-based Dikubu Water & Environmental Services.

Geminor said strong local partnerships will be critical to ensuring that feedstock collection, processing standards and kiln compatibility align with regional market conditions.

The project reflects growing interest in waste-to-energy pathways within Africa’s cement sector.

Major producers including Dangote Cement and PPC Ltd have previously announced initiatives to increase the use of alternative fuels as part of broader carbon-reduction strategies, though substitution rates remain below European benchmarks.

Geminor’s move also follows expanding European efforts to export expertise in SRF production and cross-border waste logistics to emerging markets, where infrastructure gaps continue to constrain recycling rates.

If successful, the initiative could create a replicable model linking plastic waste management with industrial energy demand, supporting circular economy objectives while helping cement producers reduce dependence on fossil fuels in fast-growing African markets.

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