Thailand hosts Southeast Asia’s first heat battery for low-carbon cement production

Rondo Energy and SCG Cleanergy, a clean energy subsidiary of SCG, announced the commissioning of Southeast Asia's first heat battery for cement production, according to a company statement released Nov. 18.

The heat battery now provides 2.3 MWth (megawatts thermal) of continuous steam, charged using power from the grid and a nearby floating solar farm. The superheated steam drives a turbine, producing round-the-clock clean electricity for cement manufacturing.

"We're announcing three big steps in Rondo's journey," said Rondo CEO Eric Trusiewicz. "We're launching our first unit that is part of our new modular sizing approach, our first heat battery in Southeast Asia, and the only one worldwide delivering high-pressure steam used for electric power generation."

Several Asia-based traders noted that the initiative reflects growing momentum for low-carbon measures across the region, with Thailand emerging as a front-runner in low-carbon cement production technology.

A Southeast Asia-based trader commented, "We have seen increasing efforts from cement and clinker manufacturers to slowly decarbonize their production to adhere to broader global decarbonization efforts."

Another Asia-based trader added, "Thailand is increasing their decarbonization efforts, I have heard that the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) is pushing hard on decarbonization, with a clear roadmap toward net-zero by 2050."

Market participants also highlighted that cement and clinker producers in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines have begun implementing measures to reduce their carbon footprint, including using alternative fuels or residual heat from production lines to generate electricity.

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