Lafarge Canada and Geocycle Canada alongside Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), have officially opened Canada’s first low-carbon fuel plant.
The $10-million facility, located at Lafarge Canada’s Brookfield Cement Plant in Nova Scotia, marks a significant advancement in sustainable construction and clean energy technology. The federal government’s Energy Innovation Program (EIP) contributed $3.53 million to the project, which supports Canada’s transition to a low-carbon economy.
The plant is designed to reduce reliance on fossil fuels by converting approximately 14,000 tonnes of waste, including non-recyclable plastics and construction waste, into low-carbon fuel each year. This is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 12,000 tonnes annually, equivalent to removing nearly 13,500 cars from the road.
David Redfern, President and CEO of Lafarge Canada (East), emphasized the importance of sustainability in the cement industry, stating, “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.”
The plant is expected to play a critical role in reducing landfill waste while creating local jobs in Nova Scotia. The new facility builds on Lafarge and Geocycle’s partnership, which recently piloted a project to produce high-quality clinker, a key ingredient in cement, using recycled materials.
Sophie Wu, Head of Geocycle North America, expressed her enthusiasm for the initiative, saying, “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, praised the project’s economic and environmental benefits, highlighting its contribution to Canada’s sustainable economy. The plant began commissioning in June 2024 and is already making strides in reducing carbon emissions in the construction industry.