BANGKOK, THAILAND – 1 December 2025 – The ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM) has unveiled the 2035 AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap, the world’s first regional decarbonization strategy for the cement sector. The announcement was made during the 46th AFCM Council Meeting in Brunei Darussalam, chaired by Dr. Chana Poomee and attended by representatives from cement associations across all eight AFCM member countries. The launch comes as global climate action momentum builds ahead of COP30 in Brazil.
Cement production is critical for infrastructure and economic development across ASEAN, yet it remains a major source of CO₂ emissions. The 2035 Decarbonization Roadmap establishes a unified regional commitment to accelerate emissions reductions in line with national climate policies and global environmental goals, enhancing AFCM’s leadership in sustainable cement production.
Dr. Chana Poomee, AFCM President and Chairman of the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), described the roadmap as a major milestone for the region’s cement sector. “This shared framework will guide systematic CO₂ reduction, enhance regional competitiveness, and strengthen AFCM’s contribution to global climate solutions,” he said.
The roadmap, developed with support from the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), is structured around four strategic pillars:
- Expansion of low-carbon cement through performance-based standards,
- Transition to clean and renewable energy across production processes, while improving thermal and electrical efficiency,
- Deployment of advanced decarbonization technologies, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), and
- Development of supplementary cementitious materials to support next-generation low-carbon cement products.
At a regional level, these initiatives could reduce up to 38 million tons of CO₂ by 2035. The roadmap acknowledges the diversity of national circumstances, allowing each member country to define decarbonization targets tailored to local regulations, industrial conditions, and available technologies. A key early action includes the reduction and phasedown of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), providing an immediate and impactful emissions reduction pathway.
Member associations from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam expressed support for the roadmap and reaffirmed their commitment to advancing decarbonization in alignment with national priorities. They emphasized the importance of collaboration, supportive policies, increased adoption of alternative fuels, energy efficiency measures, advanced technologies, and promotion of low-carbon cement and concrete.
Dr. Poomee highlighted the broader economic potential of the roadmap: “The 2035 AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap presents an opportunity to enhance regional competitiveness, drive sustainable development, and deliver economic benefits. Government support will be essential for effective implementation. Through collaboration, innovation, and collective action, AFCM can accelerate the adoption of low-carbon technologies, attract green investment, create new economic opportunities, and build a resilient, future-ready cement industry that meaningfully contributes to global decarbonization.”