Bamburi Cement Plc has stepped up efforts to promote low-carbon cement in Kenya, calling for changes in public procurement policies and financing guidelines to encourage the use of environmentally friendly construction materials.
The manufacturer wants government agencies and private developers to give preference to cement products with lower carbon emissions when awarding construction contracts, a move it says could create new opportunities for local manufacturers investing in cleaner production technologies.
The proposal comes as Kenya expands its infrastructure development programme, with major investments in roads, bridges, dams and industrial facilities creating sustained demand for cement and concrete products.
Speaking during a Green Industrialisation and Manufacturing Panel at the Kenya Industrialisation Summit 2026, Bamburi Cement Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director Eng Jane Wangari said public procurement could play a central role in accelerating the transition to greener construction.
She proposed that government tenders award higher scores to contractors using cement with lower carbon emissions. She also called for low-carbon cement to be included in the Central Bank of Kenya’s Green Finance Taxonomy to encourage financing for sustainable construction projects.
The approach would make environmental performance an important consideration when selecting construction materials, alongside cost, strength and durability.
Bamburi targets demand for environmentally friendly cement
Bamburi has already introduced DuraCem, a 42.5-grade cement manufactured in Kenya and designed for large-scale and marine construction projects.
The product is formulated to resist sulphates and chlorides, making it suitable for structures exposed to aggressive environmental conditions, including seawater.
According to the company, its production process uses alternative fuels such as rice husks and waste tyres, helping reduce carbon emissions compared to conventional cement manufacturing.
Bamburi says DuraCem generates 64 per cent less carbon dioxide than ordinary Portland cement. A 50kg bag saves approximately 25kg of carbon dioxide emissions.
“We have proved that green manufacturing can be done, as one 50-kg bag of Bamburi DuraCem carries about 64% less carbon dioxide than ordinary Portland cement. That is roughly 25 kg of carbon dioxide saved per bag, about the same as burning 10 litres of petrol,” Wangari said.
The company cited Makupa Bridge in Mombasa as an example of the product’s application in major infrastructure. It said the project recorded carbon dioxide savings of more than 10 million kilogrammes through the use of DuraCem.
For manufacturers, the commercial opportunity lies in convincing developers that low-carbon materials can meet demanding construction requirements while helping projects reduce their environmental impact.
Bamburi is also advocating for standardised cement specifications and verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). These provide measurable information about the environmental impact of construction materials, allowing buyers to compare products using independently verifiable data.
Dangote refinery presents major supply opportunity
The company’s push for greater adoption of low-carbon cement coincides with its efforts to secure business from major industrial developments.
Bamburi recently indicated that it was positioning itself to supply more than one million tonnes of cement for the proposed Dangote East Africa Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemical Special Economic Zone in Lamu County.
The company is pursuing a commercial opportunity to supply cement and concrete products throughout the project’s development cycle, with DuraCem among the products it could deliver.
The potential deal would provide an important market for the manufacturer, given the substantial quantities of construction materials required for large industrial facilities.
Bamburi has previously supplied cement and concrete solutions for several major developments in Kenya, including the Standard Gauge Railway, Dongo Kundu Highway, Talanta Sports Stadium, Rironi-Mau Summit Road, Mwache Dam, Thwake Dam and Makupa Bridge.
However, its ability to secure additional large-scale contracts will also depend on production capacity and its ability to deliver materials consistently as construction demand grows.
Sh32 billion factory to strengthen production capacity
To support its expansion plans, Bamburi is investing in a new clinkerisation plant in Matuga, Kwale County.
The company signed a US$250 million (approximately Ksh32 billion) Engineering, Procurement and Construction contract with China’s Sinoma CBMI Construction Co. Ltd for the development of the facility.
The plant is expected to produce 1.6 million tonnes of clinker annually and forms part of Bamburi’s strategy to strengthen its control over a key raw material used in cement production.
Clinker is produced by heating limestone and other materials at high temperatures before grinding it with additional components to manufacture cement. Its production is one of the most energy-intensive stages of the cement manufacturing process.
Bamburi plans to increase its annual clinker production capacity from one million tonnes to 2.6 million tonnes. Its cement production capacity is also targeted to rise from 1.8 million tonnes to four million tonnes.
The expansion is expected to improve the company’s ability to serve large infrastructure projects while reducing its dependence on external clinker supplies.
As a member of the Amsons Group, Bamburi is pursuing long-term clinker self-sufficiency and increased production as it positions itself to benefit from Kenya’s growing construction and industrial sectors.
The investment and its low-carbon cement strategy point to two priorities for the manufacturer: expanding the volume of cement it can supply and increasing the range of products available to developers seeking more sustainable construction options.
However, wider adoption of low-carbon cement will ultimately depend on whether government agencies, private developers and financiers incorporate environmental considerations into their purchasing and investment decisions.
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