The Current Situation of Production, Resource Consumption, and Potential for Savings, Reuse, and Circular Economy in Vietnam's Cement Industry

Abstract

Vietnam is the third largest cement producer in the world, with an average clinker production of approximately 78 million tons per year over the 5 years from 2020 to 2024. This article presents the status of production and the consumption of natural resources in cement production in Vietnam in 2024. Based on this, the authors provide calculations and assessments of the potential for resource savings, waste reuse, and implementing a circular economy in cement production based on actual research and cement production practices in Vietnam. The cement production industry can co-process a large amount of waste, such as by-products/waste from some industries and municipal waste, bringing significant economic and environmental benefits. Along with co-processing waste, the cement production industry also effectively and safely treats the waste generated by the cement plants themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to continue researching and applying the increasing use of resources to save natural resources and treat waste safely and effectively.