Lafarge Serbia to Build First Plant Using Ash in Cement Production

Lafarge Serbia is set to construct a groundbreaking factory near the Nikola Tesla B power plant in Ratari, marking Serbia’s first facility designed to utilize ash as a raw material in cement production. This initiative is a significant step towards advancing the circular economy in the country.

The new plant will process one million tons of ash annually, sourced directly from the Nikola Tesla B power plant (TENT B). Serbia’s coal-fired power plants, operated by state-owned Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS), generate between six and seven million tons of ash and slag each year, most of which is currently disposed of in ash dumps covering 1,600 hectares. Only a small fraction, five to six percent, is sold annually, with just 180,000 tons sold last year.

Lafarge Serbia’s investment of approximately EUR 110 million aims to address this long-standing issue by not only processing newly generated ash but also using material from existing ash dumps. Dimitrije Knjeginjić, CEO of Lafarge Serbia, highlighted the factory’s role in transforming ash into construction materials through grinding, classification, and selection processes.

The plant is expected to reduce the environmental impact of ash disposal, lower operating costs for EPS, and potentially create a new revenue stream through ash sales. Additionally, the use of ash in cement production will be crucial as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) takes effect on January 1, 2026, imposing taxes on CO₂ emissions for exports of key materials, including cement.

This innovative project positions Lafarge Serbia as a leader in sustainable practices within the construction industry, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote the circular economy.