Ghana has commissioned what industry executives say is the world’s largest calcined clay plant, a project aimed at lowering cement production emissions while reducing the country’s dependence on imported clinker. The facility, built by CBI Ghana Limited for its Supacem Cement operations, was inaugurated during a ceremony attended by President John Dramani Mahama, government officials and industry executives.
Speaking at the commissioning, CBI Ghana Managing Director Frédéric Albrecht said the project marks a major shift in how cement is produced in Ghana and could position the country as a leader in low-carbon construction materials.
“Clinker, the heart of cement production, is responsible for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions,” Albrecht said, adding that Ghana spends close to $500 million annually importing the material. The new plant uses locally sourced clay to produce calcined clay, which can partially replace clinker in cement manufacturing. According to the company, the technology can reduce carbon emissions in cement production by as much as 40%.
Albrecht said the shift would also reduce the country’s reliance on imported clinker, keeping more capital within the domestic economy while supporting job creation.
The project represents an investment of about $110 million and was backed by international investors including Norfund, IFU of Denmark and Heidelberg Materials. Engineering work on the facility was carried out by FLSmidth, while construction support came from De Simone Group.
The plant is designed to produce about 400,000 tonnes of calcined clay annually and support cement output of up to 1.5 million tonnes, operating continuously to align with Ghana’s policy push toward a 24-hour industrial economy.
CBI Ghana said it built the facility with capacity exceeding its own internal needs and intends to supply calcined clay to other cement producers seeking to lower emissions across the industry.
Albrecht said the company aims to position Ghana as a global hub for limestone calcined clay cement, or LC3, technology, working with research institutions including Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and the University of Ghana to advance research and develop technical expertise.
The move could help Ghana reduce import costs tied to clinker while supporting global efforts to decarbonize cement, one of the most carbon-intensive manufacturing sectors.
