Bamburi Cement has unveiled a low-carbon cement product that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 64 per cent compared to ordinary Portland cement, as the company pushes for wider adoption of environmentally friendly construction materials in Kenya.
The product, branded Bamburi DuraCem Cement, is manufactured using a process that incorporates alternative fuels, including rice husks and waste tyres, to reduce emissions during production.
Speaking at the Kenya Industrialisation Summit 2026 on Wednesday, November 4, Bamburi Cement Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director Eng Jane Wangari urged the government and private sector to prioritise low-carbon cement in construction projects.
Wangari said one 50-kilogram bag of DuraCem produces approximately 64 per cent less carbon dioxide than ordinary Portland cement, saving about 25 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions.
She compared the savings to the emissions generated by burning 10 litres of petrol.
“As cement manufacturers, we are actively playing our net-zero part to facilitate green manufacturing, affirming that it is no longer a pipe dream to deliver products with lower carbon dioxide emissions,” Wangari said.
She noted that wider adoption of low-carbon cement could help transform Kenya’s construction industry while supporting the country’s green industrialisation ambitions.
How Bamburi Wants Government to Promote Low-Carbon Cement
Wangari called on the government to introduce procurement incentives that favour construction materials with lower carbon emissions.
She proposed that public tender specifications award higher scores to contractors using low-carbon cement, saying the move would encourage manufacturers to develop and supply more environmentally friendly products.
She also called for low-carbon cement to be included in the Central Bank of Kenya’s Green Finance Taxonomy to encourage investment and wider adoption.
According to Wangari, introducing verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) would also help consumers and contractors establish the actual environmental impact of construction materials.
She said such declarations would make it easier to compare cement products based on their carbon emissions, rather than relying on general environmental claims.
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Bamburi Cites Makupa Bridge Carbon Savings
The cement manufacturer pointed to the Makupa Bridge in Mombasa as an example of how low-carbon materials can support major infrastructure projects.
Wangari said the construction of the bridge using DuraCem had saved more than 10 million kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions.
The cement used in the project is also designed to resist sulphate and chloride exposure, making it suitable for large-scale and marine construction projects where structures are exposed to seawater.
DuraCem is a locally manufactured 42.5-grade cement developed for demanding construction applications.
Bamburi said wider use of such products in public and private infrastructure projects could help reduce the construction sector’s environmental footprint.
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Bamburi Targets Dangote Refinery Cement Supply Deal
The company’s push for low-carbon cement comes as it pursues opportunities to supply construction materials to the proposed Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Special Economic Zone in Lamu County.
Last month, Bamburi Cement announced that it was positioning itself to supply more than one million tonnes of cement for the project.
The company is seeking to provide cement and concrete products throughout the refinery’s development, including DuraCem for construction works requiring resistance to sulphates and chlorides.
Bamburi said it would explore supplying locally manufactured products following assurances that the project would prioritise materials produced in Kenya.
The company has previously supplied cement and concrete solutions for major infrastructure developments, including Talanta Sports Stadium, the Rironi-Mau Summit Road, the Standard Gauge Railway, Dongo Kundu Highway, Mwache Dam, Thwake Dam and Makupa Bridge.
Cement Company Plans to Double Cement Production Capacity
Beyond its low-carbon cement push, Bamburi is pursuing an expansion strategy aimed at increasing production capacity and securing long-term clinker supplies.
Late last year, the company signed a US$250 million (approximately KSh32 billion) Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract with China’s Sinoma CBMI Construction Company to build a clinkerisation factory in Matuga, Kwale County.
The proposed plant will have an annual production capacity of 1.6 million tonnes and incorporate technologies intended to reduce its environmental impact.
Bamburi plans to increase its clinker production capacity from one million tonnes to 2.6 million tonnes annually.
Its cement production capacity is also expected to rise from 1.8 million tonnes to four million tonnes annually.
The expansion is part of the company’s strategy to meet growing demand for construction materials while supporting Kenya’s infrastructure development and industrialisation agenda.
Bamburi Cement, which is part of the Amsons Group, has operated in the East African market for 70 years.
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