PWS Pampanga signs deal to supply RDF to Holcim Philippines

The Philippines' Prime Waste Solutions Pampanga, a subsidiary of Prime Infra, has entered into an agreement to supply refuse-derived fuel, or RDF, to Holcim Philippines for use at the cement producer's plants in Bulacan and La Union, according to a statement published on PWS Pampanga's website late Nov. 12.

Under the memorandum of agreement, PWS said it will deliver a steady volume of RDF to support Holcim's kiln operations, where the material will be used as an alternative fuel through the company's co-processing program. The process converts plastic waste into usable energy and raw materials, reducing reliance on conventional fossil fuels.

The partnership comes at a time when demand for effective waste management solutions is rising, Cara Peralta, Prime Infra's market sector lead for waste, said.

Holcim Philippines' senior vice president, Samuel Manlosa Jr., said working with Prime Infra aligns with Holcim's push to expand responsible waste management and efficiency across its operations.

PWS Pampanga, which began operations in June 2024, runs a large-scale waste processing facility in Porac capable of handling up to 5,000 metric tons/day. The company also operates a Cebu facility that supplies shredded plastics as RDF to local industrial users, according to its website.

Holcim, through its Geocycle unit, has long incorporated co-processing to divert municipal waste from landfills and channel it into fuel for its cement kilns, according to the company's website.

Traders in Asia said the announcement signals increasing traction for low-carbon efforts across the region, though high investment requirements and technology limitations remain key hurdles.

"More cement kilns are starting to use RDF as an alternative fuel. Several facilities in Vietnam and Indonesia have begun shifting to greener options, like the one with Makassar City government and PT Semen Bosowa Maros," a Southeast Asia–based trader said.

Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, assessed cement (ASTM type I) FOB Vietnam at $34.75/mt on Nov. 13, slightly lower from $35.25/mt the previous week, and cement clinker FOB Vietnam at $29.75/mt on Nov. 13, up from $29.25/mt FOB the previous week.