Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada, members of the Holcim Group, have taken a significant step towards a greener future by opening Canada’s first low-carbon fuel plant. Located at the Lafarge Canada Brookfield Cement Plant in Nova Scotia, the over $10 million facility marks a transformative moment in the plant’s 50-year history. This innovative project received a $3.53 million grant from the federal government’s Energy Innovation Program, demonstrating a commitment to promoting clean energy technologies and supporting Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The new plant will play a crucial role in diverting approximately 14,000 tonnes of waste from landfills each year. This waste, primarily non-recyclable plastics and eventually including construction and demolition materials, will be pre-processed into low-carbon fuel, significantly reducing the plant’s dependence on traditional fossil fuels like coal. This is expected to lead to a reduction of over 12,000 tonnes of carbon emissions annually, equivalent to taking 13,480 passenger vehicles off the road.
“Cement is a vital component of infrastructure projects that contribute to economic growth. By implementing sustainable and innovative solutions to reduce our environmental impact, we’re serving the needs of our customers and the communities in which we operate both now and in the future,” stated David Redfern, president and CEO, Lafarge Canada (East). “Our continued collaboration with Geocycle Canada reinforces our commitment to invest and advance circular construction in Canada.”
The plant’s commissioning commenced in June 2024, with Lafarge and Geocycle teams collaborating with local manufacturers and materials recovery facilities (MRFs) to collect waste for processing. This initiative underscores their joint commitment to decarbonizing the construction industry.
“At Geocycle, our solutions are circular by design,” said Sophie Wu, Head of Geocycle North America. “We are happy to take another significant step in our ongoing partnership with Lafarge Canada. This is a great example of our work toward the decarbonization of the construction industry in Canada.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, echoed these sentiments: “By taking waste from the local community and turning it into low-carbon energy, Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada are reducing Canada’s reliance on traditional fossil fuels, and paving the way for additional lower carbon energy projects in the construction industry.”
This project not only benefits the environment but also creates jobs in the local Nova Scotia community. It exemplifies a collaborative effort to achieve sustainable development and foster a more circular economy. With this groundbreaking project, Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada are demonstrating their dedication to building a greener future for generations to come.
