Moctezuma Signs State–CANACEM Circular Economy Pact

Mexican cement producer Moctezuma has formalized its participation in a collaboration agreement between the State of Mexico Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (SMAyDS) and the National Cement Chamber (CANACEM) aimed at advancing circular economy practices and improving waste management. Under the agreement, Moctezuma committed to supporting state-level environmental programs that promote responsible waste use and reduce reliance on fossil fuels and virgin raw materials. The company said the collaboration builds on initiatives it has implemented across its cement plants for several years.

As an initial pillar of the agreement, Moctezuma will join the state’s end-of-life tire management program, which currently operates in 95 municipalities across the State of Mexico. The initiative seeks to divert discarded tires from open dumps and landfills toward environmentally responsible uses, including co-processing in cement kilns.

Moctezuma said its technical expertise will help increase the volume of tires treated under circular economy best practices. Authorities view cement plants as a viable solution for managing certain waste streams due to their high-temperature processes and strict environmental controls.

Beyond tire management, the agreement outlines broader areas of cooperation between the public sector and the cement industry. These include promoting additional circular economy practices, expanding the use of various types of waste as alternative fuels or raw materials, sharing technical expertise, and developing joint projects that link environmental performance with regional economic development.

State officials said the partnership with CANACEM members reflects the cement industry’s role in integrated waste management strategies, particularly in densely populated regions where landfill capacity is increasingly constrained.

In 2024, Moctezuma increased its use of alternative fuels by valorizing more than 36,000 metric tons of waste that would otherwise have been sent to landfills. The company said the substitution reduced fossil fuel consumption and limited the extraction of natural resources used in cement production. As a result, Moctezuma received a Clean Industry Certificate from SMAyDS. 

“At Moctezuma, we demonstrate through concrete actions that sustainability guides each of our operations and that the cement industry is a strategic ally in transforming waste into value,” said Maribel Leyte, the company’s director of sustainability, environment and continuous improvement. “With measurable results in energy efficiency, clean energy generation and pioneering circular economy projects, we reaffirm our leadership by turning sustainability into a competitive advantage for Mexico and the sector.”