Circular Economy and Innovation
I
Resource Usage and Circular Economy
Resource Usage and Circular Economy
In line with our 2030 Sustainability Targets, we are working to optimize resource usage, integrate circular economy principles into our production processes, and reduce natural resource consumption.
We improve our waste management processes by increasing the use of alternative raw materials and fuels in both cement and ready-mix concrete production. Through waste reduction strategies and higher recycling rates, we implement an effective waste management approach.
To enhance resource efficiency, we implement practices aimed at reducing raw material consumption, promoting the use of alternative materials, and supporting circular economy principles. Our priorities include integrating alternative raw materials, utilizing recycled materials, and adopting a zero-waste approach. Our resource management and circular economy policies are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Climate Agreement.
In this context:
We aim to increase the share of alternative raw materials to reduce natural resource consumption.
We minimize environmental impact by lowering clinker use in cement through the incorporation of fly ash, slag, and other mineral additives.
We focus on increasing the use of recycled aggregates and other secondary raw materials in ready-mix concrete production.
Across all production processes, we apply a waste management system that emphasizes source reduction and supports recycling.
Risks, Opportunities and Management Process
To identify risks and opportunities related to resource use and circular economy, we conduct life cycle assessments, regular environmental impact evaluations, and stakeholder feedback processes. We continuously review actual and potential risks, impacts, and opportunities by analyzing resource flows throughout our operations and value chain. This process is supported and updated by consistent data analysis, stakeholder input, and process improvements.
To assess risks, we classify waste in accordance with the coding system defined by the Turkish Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change and evaluate these with our Environmental Directorate. We also investigate the source of the waste and its interactions with nearby sources. In addition, our Production, Quality, Environment, and Procurement departments evaluate the environmental impact — including potential emissions such as flue gases — that may result from waste usage. During opportunity analysis, we assess the potential of circular economy-derived materials to substitute conventional inputs. If the evaluation, including cost-benefit and environmental impact analyses, indicates feasibility, necessary approvals are obtained and disposal is managed accordingly.
The primary short-, medium-, and long-term risks we monitor in the area of resource use and circular economy include:
Natural resource scarcity: Declining reserves and access issues for essential raw materials such as limestone, clay, and aggregates may cause supply chain disruptions, potentially leading to higher costs, lower efficiency, and revenue loss.
Regulatory compliance risks: New national and international regulations, including carbon taxes and sustainability standards, require operational changes. These include increased use of alternative raw materials and low-clinker cement. Non-compliance could result in penalties and reputational risks.
Alternative raw material availability and price volatility: Supply uncertainties and price fluctuations for key materials such as fly ash and slag may hinder effective cost control.
Alternative fuel availability and pricing risk: Market volatility related to end of life tire, biomass, and other alternative fuels may limit their use in cement production.
Waste management challenges: Inefficient disposal and recycling of production waste can raise operational costs and reduce process efficiency.
To mitigate these risks, we implement sustainable supply chain strategies, promote the use of alternative raw materials, and invest in product development aligned with circular economy principles. We also support risk management through investments that enhance resource efficiency and strengthen waste minimization policies.
The main opportunities we monitor across short, medium, and long terms are:
Cost advantages through alternative raw materials: The use of fly ash, slag, and recycled aggregates in cement and concrete production can reduce raw material costs and provide financial gains.
Revenue generation through improved waste recycling: Reusing production by-products and waste in other sectors can offer new revenue streams.
Competitive advantage via low-carbon, sustainable products: Rising demand and regulatory momentum toward low-carbon and recycled content products support the expansion of our sustainable product portfolio, boosting competitiveness and potential revenue.
To leverage these opportunities, we continue to increase the use of alternative raw materials, invest in low-carbon production processes, and align our waste management with a zero-waste approach.
In 2024, we organized a workshop on alternative fuels and raw materials involving Procurement, Production, Environmental, and Sustainability teams. Future roadmaps were created based on the current situation.
We also explore collaborations with industrial producers of large-scale waste to support circular economy practices by incorporating these waste materials into our operations. This not only reduces our environmental impact but also helps our partners lower operational costs.
Recycling in Ready-Mix Concrete Plants
In 2024, we recovered 31,447 tons of aggregate through recycling units at our ready-mix concrete plants.
23
Concrete Plant with Recycling Unit
8
Concrete Plant with Filter Press Unit
In our ready-mix concrete plants, we apply circular economy practices to recover waste materials. The recycling process occurs in two main ways: by reclaiming unused concrete — typically returned due to over-ordering — and through waste generated during mixer and mobile pump cleaning processes. As of 2024, 23 out of 26 plants are equipped with recycling units, with one more under installation and scheduled for completion in 2025. Returned concrete is washed, converted into aggregate, and reused in production. Additionally, we plan to increase the number of filter presses from 8 to 9 in 2025. Filter presses separate solids from wash water, enabling the reuse of recovered water in concrete production. In plants without recycling units, we continue efforts to convert returned concrete into aggregate with mineral additives.
Waste Management
As Akçansa, in line with our sustainability strategy, we aim to efficiently reintegrate waste generated from our operations into the economy through our circular economy and waste management practices. Through waste disposal collaborations and recycling projects, we contribute to the circular economy and evaluate waste generation across all production processes in accordance with the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard.
By complying with Zero Waste requirements, we manage all waste generated during our operations and regularly report to the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye through the Zero Waste Information System. We ensure that all hazardous and non-hazardous waste generated during production is recovered through recycling or energy recovery, and we develop integrated solutions for the use of waste in recycling and energy generation. To minimize waste generation at the source, we implement operational improvements and process optimizations while continuously monitoring and enhancing our waste management practices.
We continue to strengthen our sustainable production model by minimizing waste generation and integrating circular economy principles into our operations.
by Year and Type (ton)
In 2024, our overall waste recovery rate reached 95%. At Akçansa, we send all waste—excluding domestic waste—for recycling or recovery, and we aim to maintain this rate in the coming years by continuously improving our waste management processes. In 2024, the total volume of hazardous and non-hazardous waste generated was 4,166 tons. Of this total, 82% consisted of non-hazardous waste and approximately 18% of hazardous waste. All hazardous waste, excluding e-waste, is recovered for energy generation or recycled. No hazardous waste is sent to landfill.
Alternative Raw Material Usage
As Akçansa, increasing the alternative raw material usage rate has been identified as one of our key priorities in line with our 2030 sustainability targets.
As part of our 2030 Sustainability Targets, increasing the use of alternative raw materials is one of Akçansa’s strategic priorities. By expanding the use of alternative raw materials and mineral additives in cement production, we aim to reduce the consumption of natural resources, lower clinker usage, and minimize carbon dioxide emissions. As part of our efforts to increase alternative raw material usage, we have integrated various materials into our production processes, including foundry sand, grit, marble chips, concrete waste, industrial sludge, excavation soil, fly ash, pyrite ash, and copper flotation waste. This approach contributes to the circular economy while also reducing waste generation through the effective use of industrial by-products.
In 2024, we established a strategic collaboration with ODAŞ to incorporate fly ash from the Çan2 Thermal Power Plant into our cement production processes. This initiative aims to reduce the consumption of virgin raw materials while supporting circular economy practices. As part of this partnership, we plan to use approximately 2 million tons of fly ash in cement production, thereby significantly lowering our environmental footprint.
To expand our alternative raw material capacity, we completed silo and feeding system investments at our Çanakkale and Büyükçekmece plants to support fly ash integration. These investments have enabled us to increase the proportion of fly ash used in blended cement, reducing dependence on clinker and conserving natural resources.
We also continue to conduct research and industrial-scale trials to identify new raw material sources that can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote more efficient use of natural resources in clinker and cement production.
Alternative Fuel and Raw Material Scenarios
The use of alternative fuels and raw materials is a cornerstone of our carbon reduction strategy. However, as the global transition to a low-carbon economy accelerates, demand for these resources is rising, altering supply dynamics and potentially increasing long-term costs.
As refuse-derived fuels (RDF) and industrial by-product-based raw materials gain broader adoption, intensified competition may lead to higher prices. This trend is directly linked to strengthened decarbonization policies across the cement and other energy-intensive sectors.
Under a <2°C scenario, global net-zero targets are expected to drive rapid growth in demand for alternative fuels and raw materials, which may lead to supply constraints and cost pressures. In contrast, under a 3.5–4°C scenario, where regulatory pressures are relatively weaker, demand growth is likely to be slower. Nevertheless, over time, the scarcity of key resources may inevitably result in price increases.
Metrics and Targets
We are committed to increasing the share of alternative raw materials in our cement and concrete products by aligning with global best practices. Within the scope of our 2030 goals, we aim to raise the use of alternative raw materials in both cementitious products and concrete production.
In 2024, the alternative raw material ratio in our cementitious products was 5.1%.
In ready-mix concrete production, we continued our efforts to expand mineral additive use, utilizing 93,714 tons of fly ash and 14,999 tons of slag—resulting in a total of 108,203 tons of mineral additives. This allowed us to optimize cement and clinker content while producing more durable and environmentally friendly concrete.
Compared to the previous year, we achieved a 21% increase in the use of alternative raw materials in cementitious products and a 12% increase in concrete products. By 2030, we aim to reach a 10% alternative raw material usage rate in both product groups.
In 2024, we diverted 679,902 tons of waste used as alternative resources from landfilling and reintegrated them into the economy.
Sağa kaydırarak tablonun devamını görebilirsiniz.
| Performance Indicator | Unit | 2023 | 2024 | 2030 Targets |
Ratio of alternative raw material usage in cement products | % | 4.2 | 4.1 | 10 |
Ratio of alternative raw material usage in concrete products | % | 3.4 | 3.8 | 10 |
Legal Disclaimer
Akçansa 2024 Integrated Annual Report (‘Report’) has been prepared by Akçansa Çimento Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. (‘Akçansa’). The scenario analyses aligned with TSRS, the financial materiality studies, and all assessments related to physical and transition risks stemming from climate change—prepared by Akçansa—are based on the company's data, calculations, expert opinions, and compliance with national and international standards. Akçansa Çimento Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş. shall not be held responsible for any losses or damages that may arise should third parties or entities rely on these assumptions.
