On May 7th, CIMPOR took part in the Grande Conferência Negócios Sustentabilidade 20|30, held at Nova SBE in Carcavelos. The event, promoted by Jornal de Negócios, brought together leaders and experts for two days of strategic debate and reflection on the major ESG challenges – Environmental, Social and Governance.

The conference was the highlight of the Sustentabilidade 20|30 program and marked the culmination of a cycle of three events, each focused on one of the ESG pillars. It also included the presentation of the National Sustainability Award, which recognizes companies and benchmark projects across several categories, including Decarbonization.

As the exclusive sponsor of this category, CIMPOR reaffirmed its commitment to reducing emissions and promoting more sustainable industrial practices, in line with the company’s energy transition targets.

At the conference, Sandro Conceição, Director of Co-Processing and Energy at CIMPOR, took part in the panel discussion “The energy transition: ally or adversary of competitiveness?”, where he shared his perspective on the energy transition within an electro-intensive industry. The debate explored the opportunities and main barriers to making this transition a reality, as well as the key levers that will drive sustainable and competitive transformation in the industrial sector.

CIMPOR’s involvement throughout the Sustentabilidade 20|30 program, as exclusive sponsor of the Decarbonization category and active presence at the final conference, reflects its strong commitment to the transformation of the sector. A commitment that is expressed through the sharing of technical knowledge and the promotion of concrete solutions for a more efficient, responsible industry, aligned with today’s and tomorrow’s environmental challenges.

CIMPOR has been honored with the prestigious “International Investment Award” at the 15th edition of the UK-Portugal Business Awards, organized by the British Embassy in Portugal and the UK Department for Business and Trade. This recognition acknowledges CIMPOR's strategic investment in the United Kingdom and reaffirms the company's role in strengthening economic relations between the two countries.

The award ceremony took place at the SUD Lisboa Hall and was attended by several prominent figures from the business and institutional sectors. The award was presented to Cevat Mert, CEO of CIMPOR Portugal and Cape Verde, by the British Ambassador to Portugal, Lisa Bandari, and the Trade Commissioner for Europe, Chris Barton.

The “International Investment Award” is presented to Portuguese companies that stand out for their investment in the United Kingdom, highlighting the dynamism and economic cooperation between the two countries. This award marks another milestone in CIMPOR’s journey, further reinforcing its position as a global reference company, aligned with innovation and excellence, and its strong commitment to the British market.

CIMPOR has announced an investment of €155 million in the areas of innovation and sustainability, through the modernization of Kiln 7 and the creation of a new Research and Development (R&D) Center.

On April 28th, the Minister of Economy, Pedro Reis, visited CIMPOR’s Alhandra Plant. The purpose of the visit was to present the company’s future Research and Development (R&D) Center - an outstanding facility that will create 100 new jobs for highly qualified young professionals and reinforce CIMPOR’s position as a reference in the cement sector.

During the visit, Pedro Reis had the opportunity to learn first-hand about the Innovation and Development (R&D) Center project, which aims to drive innovation in sustainable construction, materials science, and digital transformation. The initiative reinforces CIMPOR’s leadership in low-carbon cement technologies and circular economy practices, with a strong focus on areas such as CO₂ reduction, concrete recycling, AI-powered digitalization, and 3D printing.

In addition to the presentation of the new R&D Centre, the visit was an opportunity to showcase the progress of the ongoing modernization works on Kiln 7, which are being carried out under the Portuguese Recovery and Resilience Plan.

Both the future R&D Centre and the upgraded Kiln 7 are part of a broader wave of technological advancements at CIMPOR, such as the implementation of Europe’s first 5G network covering its production centers, and a recently signed partnership with FIZIX. This collaboration will revolutionize asset management and maintenance processes through the installation of 11,000 sensors across 19 production sites worldwide.

The visit was attended by Suat CALBIYIK, Chairman of the Board of Directors of CIMPOR Global Holdings, Cevat Mert, CEO of CIMPOR Portugal and Cape Verde and the Ambassador of Türkiye to Portugal, Haldun Koç.

This moment marked a significant step in CIMPOR’s ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability, and the country’s economic development, actively contributing to a more competitive, efficient, and future-ready cement industry.

CIMPOR attended Tektónica – International Construction Fair, held from April 10^th to 12^th, 2025, at FIL – Lisbon International Fair, in Parque das Nações. As a key event in the construction sector, Tektónica provided a great opportunity for CIMPOR to showcase its latest innovations and industry trends

Throughout the three days of the event CIMPOR's stand featured several interactive activities that captured the visitors' interest and provided a more engaging experience. A highlight of the event was the visit of the Minister of Economy, Pedro Reis, to CIMPOR's stand.

CIMPOR's participation in Tektónica allowed the company to strengthen relationships with clients and partners, as well as showcase initiatives that contribute to its goal of achieving NET ZERO by 2050. It was also an opportunity to highlight solutions that best meet the demands of the industry and consumers.

From April 14 to 16, CIMPOR took part in the Fifth International Dam World Conference (DW2025), held at the LNEC – National Civil Engineering Laboratory, in Lisbon. This international conference brought together leading dam engineering experts from Portugal and Brazil, fostering technical and scientific dialogue on the sector’s most pressing challenges.

Under the theme “Preserving Life Through Dams”, the 2025 edition promoted discussions around innovative and sustainable solutions for dam construction, maintenance and safety, while also showcasing the latest scientific and technical developments in this crucial area of engineering.

CIMPOR participated as an official sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to engineering excellence and sustainable development. The company’s involvement in this fifth edition continues a longstanding relationship with the Dam World Conference, having sponsored every edition held in Portugal since the series began in 2012.

Organised by LNEC, the Portuguese National Committee on Large Dams (CNPGB) and the Brazilian Committee on Dams (CBDB), this international event has become a reference point in the sector, promoting the exchange of knowledge between professionals, researchers and companies.

CIMPOR’s participation reinforces its position as a national leader in the cement and concrete industries, and as an active contributor to building structural solutions that support the safety and well-being of communities.

CIMPOR celebrates another milestone in its journey of innovation and commitment to excellence. CIMPOR’s Alhandra Plant has obtained the NF-Hydraulic Binder certification, awarded by AFNOR, one of the most prestigious French quality certification bodies.

This certification covers CEM I 52.5 R and CEM II/A-L 42.5 R cements, which will now undergo monthly verifications to ensure compliance with European Standards and the specific requirements of the French market and several African countries.

AFNOR’s recognition reinforces CIMPOR’s position as a reference in the cement industry, enabling the expansion of sales to the French market and several African countries while reaffirming our commitment to high standards of quality, reliability, and sustainability.

CIMPOR continues to invest in the excellence of its products and processes, delivering solutions that meet market needs with quality, trust, and precision.

This year, we strengthened our commitment to a more sustainable future by sponsoring the Forbes Green ESG Awards, an event that recognizes organizations, projects, and leaders who stand out for their dedication to sustainability.

The 2025 edition took place on March 27 in Lisbon, and we participated in the roundtable discussion "Agents of Change: How Far Does Our Responsibility Go in E, S, and G?". Nelson de Oliveira, CIMPOR’s Responsible for Energy & Planning, joined the debate on the impact of companies in building a more sustainable future and driving ESG initiatives.

CIMPOR has been solidifying the ESG strategy, integrating sustainability principles across the operations. From optimizing energy consumption to promoting low-impact solutions, we work daily to reduce our environmental footprint and create value in the cement industry.

As a sponsor of the Forbes Green ESG Awards, we reaffirm our commitment to the transition towards a greener economy and to developing initiatives that inspire companies to adopt more responsible practices.

Crédito: Forbes

Fotógrafo: Vítor Machado

CIMPOR Global, a subsidiary of TCC Group Holdings, the world's third largest cement producer with an annual capacity of 112 million tons, has established an important partnership with FIZIX, a company specializing in monitoring solutions based on smart sensors and and AI-driven software.

This project, which will be implemented in 25 CIMPOR Global production centers, will cover five facilities in Portugal, 10 cement industrial facilities in Turkey, five in Africa and five terminals in other regions, especially in Europe.

With this initiative, CIMPOR Global will be able to monitor the condition of the machines in the production centers in real time, making it possible to anticipate failures before they occur and reduce energy waste. This will be the most comprehensive machine health monitoring project based on IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and artificial intelligence in heavy industry, raising efficiency and sustainability standards in the sector.

The first phase of the project will be implemented in six countries throughout 2025, including Portugal, Turkey and various markets in Africa and Europe. In 2026, expansion to China and Taiwan will bring the total number of countries involved to 14. With a system hosted in the cloud, specialized teams will be able to provide remote support, carry out predictive analysis and optimize production processes in real time.

With this project, CIMPOR Global reaffirms its commitment to industrial digitalization and decarbonization, strengthening its dedication to a smarter, greener, and more sustainable cement industry.

CIMPOR has recently received two important international certifications: ISO 37301:2021 - Compliance Management Systems and ISO 37001:2017 - Anti-bribery Management Systems, further reinforcing our commitment to ethics, transparency, and responsibility in business. These certifications cover our operations in six countries across three continents, namely Portugal, Turkey, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Romania, and Cape Verde.

The ISO 37301:2021 certification is an international standard that defines the requirements for implementing an effective compliance management system, ensuring that all legal and regulatory obligations are met, and promoting an organizational culture based on social responsibility and corporate integrity.

The ISO 37001:2017 certification recognizes CIMPOR’s efforts in implementing anti-bribery management systems and demonstrates our commitment to creating a more ethical and transparent business environment, contributing to building a fairer and more competitive society.

Özge Aşçıoğlu, Group Director of Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance at CIMPOR Global Holdings, highlighted the importance of these certifications in aligning the company with international best practices: “These certifications recognize the work and dedication of our team in ensuring compliance with the highest standards of integrity and transparency. We will continue to invest in the continuous improvement of our processes and promote a responsible and sustainable corporate culture.”

This recognition represents CIMPOR's ongoing effort and commitment to implementing and improving internal processes, strengthening our dedication to transparency and compliance in all areas of operation.

CIMPOR also had the opportunity to share its approach and compliance management practices at the 13th Annual European Compliance & Ethics Institute Conference, organized by the Society of Corporate Compliance and Ethics (SCCE), in Lisbon from March 10th to 12th. Maria Inês Mendes, Compliance and Risk Management Senior Specialist at CIMPOR, and Özge Aşçıoğlu, Internal Audit, Risk and Compliance Group Director at CIMPOR-OYAK Cement, explored the challenges businesses face when implementing compliance programs in African countries and shared practical tips on overcoming them in the panel "Compliance Beyond European Borders: Navigating Compliance in Africa."

CIMPOR will be present at Tektónica - International Construction Fair, which takes place from 10 to 12 April, reaffirming its commitment to the future and the environment by exhibiting its sustainable building materials solutions.

At our stand, visitors will be able to test their knowledge with an interactive table with a quiz on our business units and sustainable practices; live an immersive experience with a 360º virtual tour of the Alhandra Production Centre, using virtual reality glasses; have fun with the photobooth, recording the moment of their presence; and even receive exclusive gifts as a souvenir of their visit.

Tektónica is the biggest event in the construction sector in Portugal and an excellent opportunity to show what CIMPOR is doing in terms of innovation and sustainability.

The approval of these targets highlights CIMPOR's leadership in the transition to a sustainable future and aligns its operations with climate science criteria.

The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved CIMPOR's short-term decarbonization and net-zero emissions targets. This validation represents a significant milestone in the company's commitment to sustainability and the fight against climate change.

SBTi is an internationally recognized initiative resulting from the collaboration between the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Established in 2015, SBTi aims to help companies set emission reduction targets aligned with climate science and the goals of the Paris Agreement. Currently, around 5,000 companies and financial institutions worldwide are part of this initiative, demonstrating their trust in climate science.

SBTi confirmed that CIMPOR's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets meet the rigorous criteria outlined in the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard. Additionally, SBTi classified CIMPOR's ambition for Scope 1 and 2 targets as being aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory, the most ambitious limit set by the Paris Agreement.

CIMPOR's Commitments                                                                                                                                                                                

Global Net-Zero Emissions Target: CIMPOR is committed to achieving net-zero GHG emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

Short-Term Targets:

CIMPOR is committed to reducing:

• Scope 1 gross emissions by 19.5% per ton of cementitious product by 2030, using 2022 as the base year (*);
• Scope 2 gross emissions by 55.7% per ton of cementitious product over the same period;
• Scope 3 GHG emissions from purchased goods and services by 29.4% per ton of clinker and cement purchased during the same timeframe.

(*) The target boundary includes emissions and removals associated with land use and biomass.

Long-Term Targets:

CIMPOR is committed to reducing:

• Scope 1 and 2 gross emissions by 95.2% per ton of cementitious product by 2050, using 2022 as the base year (*);
• Scope 3 absolute GHG emissions by 95% over the same period.

(*) The target boundary includes emissions and removals associated with land use and biomass.

The validation of these targets by SBTi reinforces CIMPOR's commitment to leading the transition to a more sustainable future and positions the company as an example in the cement sector and the global industry. This achievement demonstrates CIMPOR's ambition to align its operations with the principles of climate science, contributing to climate change mitigation and the achievement of global sustainability goals.

Note:

Within the framework of SBTi, CO2 emissions are categorized as follows:

• Scope 1: Direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by the company (e.g., emissions from the combustion of fuels in company facilities or vehicles).
• Scope 2: Indirect emissions from the generation of electricity, steam, heating, or cooling purchased and consumed by the company.
• Scope 3: All other indirect emissions across the value chain, including upstream activities (e.g., purchased goods, transportation) and downstream activities (e.g., use of sold products, waste management).

These categories help companies measure and set reduction targets for their entire carbon footprint.

On 16 January, the Teixeira Duarte team visited the CIMPOR Museum at the Alhandra Plant. The CIMPOR Museum, inaugurated in 2011, plays a fundamental role in preserving the history and industrial legacy of the ‘Tejo’ cement factory, founded by António Teófilo Araújo Rato at the end of the 19th century. The museum is divided into two distinct centres: the first, in the old Hoffmann kiln building from 1894, and the second, in the old laboratory building from 1932.

Teixeira Duarte is carrying out a civil construction contract to upgrade and optimise the Line 7 Klin at the Alhandra Plant, as part of a CIMPOR investment project aimed at decarbonising its operations. By the end of 2025, this project will reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere by more than 190,000 tonnes per year. This investment is part of CIMPOR's transition plan, which aims to reduce around 37% of its CO2 emissions by 2030, with the ambitious goal of reaching net-zero by 2050.

This project, which is being funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP), not only reinforces CIMPOR's commitment to environmental sustainability, but also to innovation and modernisation of its infrastructures, in line with the objectives of the RRP. Teixeira Duarte's visit to the CIMPOR Museum emphasises the importance of collaboration in implementing greener and more efficient solutions in the industry.

This is another step in CIMPOR's journey towards a more sustainable and responsible future, in accordance with the highest environmental and technological standards.

CIMPOR is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Souselas Plant, which has been operating since 1974 and has played a crucial role in the economic and social development of the region, and is a reference in the cement sector in Portugal.

Since the start of its first production line, with an initial capacity of 500,000 tons of clinker per year, the Souselas Plant has produced more than 69 million tons of clinker and processed around 667,000 tons of alternative fuels.

Nowadays, the plant is projecting a future in line with environmental and industrial challenges. Among the projects in the spotlight are the rehabilitation of Line 2 for the production of calcined clays, the installation of a 10 MW photovoltaic plant by 2025 and the implementation of a green hydrogen plant in 2026. With these initiatives, the Souselas Plant reinforces CIMPOR's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Looking to the future, the Souselas Plant continues to be a reference for innovation and sustainability in the cement sector.

CIMPOR was recently featured in the Marcas com História program on CNN Portugal, as well as in three mini-programs dedicated to its Production Centres.

These contents celebrate nearly 50 years of CIMPOR's history, highlighting the company's impact on the industry, its operations, and plans for the future.

All episodes are available on an exclusive landing page from CNN Portugal, so those who missed the broadcasts or wish to rewatch them can access all the content.

What can you find?

• The Marcas com História episode, entirely dedicated to CIMPOR
• Mini-program on the Souselas Production Centre
• Mini-program on the Alhandra Production Centre
• Mini-program on the Loulé Production Centre

The episodes feature CIMPOR's CEO for Portugal and Cape Verde, Cevat Mert, Finance Country Director, Diogo Felgueiras, Commercial Country Director, Ignacio Gómez, Chief Human Resources Officer, Rita Baptista, and Industrial Operations Country Director, Adrianno Arantes. They are joined by testimonies from the Directors of the Alhandra, Souselas, and Loulé factories, as well as various employees from the production units, who share their experiences and perspectives on CIMPOR.

Click here to access the CNN Portugal landing page and watch or rewatch all the episodes.

Cimentaçor, a company of the CIMPOR group, has been recognized as the 3rd Best Company in the Azores for 2023 in the prestigious ranking promoted by AçorMédia/Açoriano Oriental.

This distinction reflects Cimentaçor's outstanding performance, maintaining its position among the Top 10 companies in the Azores for over two decades. In the 27th edition of this initiative, which provides a comprehensive assessment of the region's business landscape, Cimentaçor stands out as the 2nd best company in terms of return on equity, the 3rd best in terms of return on revenue, and the 4th best in productivity.

Over the past four years, Cimentaçor has consistently ranked in the TOP 5 of this ranking:

This achievement is the result of the commitment, dedication, and hard work of the entire team, which continues to contribute exemplary efforts toward the company's excellence.

CIMPOR Cape Verde participated in the XXVII edition of the Cape Verde International Fair (FIC), held from November 20 to 23, 2024, at the Enapor facilities in Mindelo, São Vicente. This multisectoral event, themed “For Peace and Sustainable Development”, provided a strategic opportunity to strengthen business connections and explore new opportunities in the market.

At its stand, CIMPOR Cape Verde showcased its range of products, services, and sustainable initiatives, including the project to reactivate the pozzolana factory in Santo Antão. This project focuses on using local materials to produce cement, supporting sustainability goals and fostering economic growth in the region.

As part of its participation, the company hosted a meeting with partners from the northern islands at Hotel Porto Grande, underlining its commitment to fostering close cooperation and collaboration within the local market.

The FIC has established itself as a key platform for promoting innovation, building partnerships, and identifying promising market niches. CIMPOR Cape Verde is proud to have taken part in this significant event, reinforcing its ties with both the local community and international stakeholders while contributing to the sustainable development of Cape Verde.

CIMPOR attended Concreta, which took place between 20 and 23 November 2024 at Exponor - Porto International Fair. This event, which is a benchmark in the Construction, Architecture, Design and Engineering sectors, was an excellent opportunity to explore new business opportunities and reinforce the commitment to innovation in construction.

CIMPOR's stand presented products, services and initiatives that contribute to a more sustainable economy and future.

Participating in Concreta also made it possible to strengthen relations with customers and partners, present recent innovations and listen directly to the needs of the market. This event reaffirms CIMPOR's commitment to continuing to lead the way with solutions that meet the demands of the sector and its ongoing development.

CIMPOR is the exclusive sponsor of the Decarbonisation category of the 5^th edition of Negócios Sustentabilidade 20|30, a cycle of conferences and content promoted by Jornal de Negócios that aims to debate the challenges and good practices in sustainability. Focussed on the environmental, social and governance aspects of sustainability, this event is one of the largest in its field in Portugal, providing companies and governments with perspectives on how to contribute to a more responsible future.

The first conference of this edition took place on 20 November at the Pestana Palace in Lisbon, with the theme "Garantir o Futuro – Que caminhos para a descarbonização, floresta, água e resíduos?". The event was attended by Sandrine Dixson-Declève, President of the Clube de Roma, one of the world's leading authorities on sustainability and climate change, and by Adrianno Arantes, COO of CIMPOR and Sandro Conceição, Director of Co-Processing and Energy at CIMPOR.

As the exclusive sponsor of the Decarbonisation category, CIMPOR reaffirms its commitment to more sustainable industrial practices by supporting this cycle of debates, which has made a strong contribution to advancing responsible and innovative practices in Portugal. The 2024 edition will continue with debates on the social and governance areas, with the next conference to be held in December in Porto.

The Conferência do Jornal Público: “Descarbonização: que caminho para Portugal?” was held on 15 of November at the Museu do Oriente, an event that brought together companies, academics and decision-makers to debate the impacts of the decarbonisation strategy, which is essential for Portugal's environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness. The central theme of the conference was around analysing the challenges and progress of the decarbonisation process, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, boosting both the country's ecological and economic sustainability.

The Conferência do Jornal Público was attended by Sandro Conceição, Director of Co-Processing and Energy at CIMPOR, who was part of a panel on the paths to be taken to transform Portuguese industry towards a more sustainable future.

The round table discussed topics such as the transition to renewable energies, technological innovations for decarbonisation, resource management and energy efficiency, as well as the cost and competitiveness challenges that companies face in adapting to the new environmental parameters. One of the central points was also the viability of heavy industries, which face major challenges against a backdrop of growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions.

The conference included other panels dedicated to the structural axes of the decarbonisation process, covering everything from the use of innovative technologies, such as green hydrogen and carbon capture, to circular economy strategies applied to industrial processes. The event provided a unique platform for debate between entrepreneurs, legislators and citizens committed to reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a greener and more competitive future. The closing ceremony was attended by the Minister for the Environment and Energy, Maria Graça Carvalho.

Hakan Ozkan, Technical Assistant Manager at Betão Liz, was present at the National Structural Concrete Meeting, which took place in Porto between November 13 and 15, 2024, where he presented two scientific articles highlighting innovation and sustainability in concrete and aggregate production processes.

The first article, entitled “Production of Artificial Aggregate by Utilizing Quarry Waste Material”, explores an innovative solution for reusing industrial waste. This work develops a method for producing artificial aggregates from aggregate washing sludge (WAS) and granulated blast furnace slag. The results presented show that the artificial aggregate created has a promising performance in concrete, with an optimum replacement rate of 30%. The solution is part of a wider research project, already patented by the Turkish Patent Office, which represents an important response to the growing demand for sustainable solutions in industry.

The second article, “The Effect of Fines Content on Durability of Concrete Produced with Two Different Water/Cement Ratios”, investigates the impact of limestone fines on the durability and strength of concrete in two series of mixtures, optimized for different service conditions. This work highlights DURABET concrete, a solution developed specifically for highly durable structures and applied in large-scale projects such as the Izmit Bay suspension bridge, the fourth largest suspension bridge in the world.

Click here to read the articles

Hakan Ozkan's participation in this event underlines CIMPOR and Betão Liz's commitment to developing technologies and products that promote more sustainable and resilient construction, in line with the sector's needs and today's environmental challenges.