ASEAN Cement Industry Unveils World’s First Regional ‘2035 AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap’

The ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM) has officially launched the 2035 AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap, the first regional decarbonization strategy ever developed for the global cement industry. The announcement was made during the 46th AFCM Council Meeting in Brunei Darussalam, chaired by AFCM President Dr. Chana Poomee, and attended by senior representatives of cement associations from all eight AFCM member countries. The launch comes at a pivotal time for the international community, as preparations advance toward COP30 in Brazil, where climate action is expected to dominate the global agenda.

Cement production remains central to infrastructure development and economic growth across ASEAN, yet it is also one of the region’s most carbon-intensive industrial sectors. The 2035 AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap represents a collective commitment to accelerating the reduction of CO₂ emissions in alignment with national climate strategies and global environmental goals. AFCM positions this initiative as a landmark step that strengthens the region’s leadership in sustainable cement production.

Dr. Poomee described the roadmap as a major milestone for the ASEAN cement industry, offering a unified and systematic approach to decarbonization while enhancing long-term regional competitiveness. Developed with strong support from the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the roadmap provides a comprehensive transition pathway that includes the expansion of low-carbon cement enabled by performance-based standards, a shift toward clean and renewable energy throughout production processes along with improved thermal and electrical efficiency, the deployment of advanced decarbonization technologies such as carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), and the development of new supplementary cementitious materials to support next-generation low-carbon cement products.

AFCM estimates that these measures could collectively reduce regional CO₂ emissions by up to 38 million tonnes by 2035. While the roadmap sets a common regional direction, it acknowledges that implementation will differ across member countries, reflecting variations in regulatory frameworks, industrial maturity, energy systems, material availability, and technological readiness. One of the immediate opportunities identified is the phased reduction of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which offers a swift and impactful pathway for lowering emissions across the region.

Member associations from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam expressed full support for the roadmap’s strategic direction and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing decarbonization within their respective national contexts. They also emphasised the importance of supportive government policies, greater use of alternative fuels, improved energy efficiency, broader deployment of advanced technologies, and the continued promotion of low-carbon cement and concrete solutions.

Dr. Poomee concluded that the 2035 AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap creates substantial opportunities to strengthen regional competitiveness, attract green investment, and foster sustainable development. He noted that policy support and regulatory alignment will be essential to ensure successful implementation and highlighted the critical role of regional collaboration, innovation, and coordinated action in building a resilient, future-ready cement industry capable of making a meaningful contribution to global decarbonization efforts.