American company Rondo Energy and SCG Cleanergy, a clean energy subsidiary of SCG, Thailand’s large conglomerate involved in building materials, have commissioned Southeast Asia’s first heat battery for cement production. The facility provides 2.3 megawatts thermal of continuous steam, charged using electricity from the grid and a nearby floating solar farm. The superheated steam drives a turbine, generating electricity for cement manufacturing on a continuous basis.
The project is the first in the region to use a modular heat battery system capable of producing high-pressure steam for power generation. It reflects growing interest in low-carbon technologies within the cement sector in Southeast Asia. Thailand has been identified as a leading country in adopting decarbonization measures for cement production. The Thai Cement Manufacturers Association is reportedly advancing a roadmap aimed at reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Producers in other countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines, are also taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. Measures include using alternative fuels and capturing residual heat from production lines to generate electricity. These initiatives align with broader global efforts to lower emissions in industrial sectors.
Market data indicate that regional cement prices remain relatively stable. Platts, part of S&P Global Energy, assessed type I cement FOB Vietnam at 34.75 USD per metric ton on November 13, slightly lower than 35.25 USD per ton the previous week. Cement clinker FOB Vietnam was assessed at 29.75 USD per ton, up from 29.25 USD per ton the prior week.
The Rondo-SCG Cleanergy heat battery demonstrates the potential for integrating renewable energy and industrial heat recovery in Southeast Asia, supporting the region’s transition toward lower-carbon manufacturing.
(Source: S&P Global)
