Bamburi

Sustainability

Our Sustainability Framework

Building Progress for People and the Planet

Bamburi Cement Plc exists to deliver transformational sustainable construction for sustained economic growth across country and region.Our belief is rooted in building progress for people and the environment while advancing society and uplifting communities. Since 1951, we have leveraged sustainable value generation as a cornerstone of our success and guiding concept for all facets of our operations.

Our sustainability agenda sets clear commitments and targets that are supportive of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), encapsulated in five strategic pillars: Climate and Energy; Circularity Economy, Nature & Biodiversity, People & Human Rights, Sustainable Procurement, Customer & Product Innovation and Governance.

Customer, Product and Innovation

BSP supplied the first Class 60 Ready Mix Concrete in East Africa

In a leap forward for sustainable construction, Bamburi Special Products (BSP) recently pioneered the supply of East Africa’s first C60 (high strength) Ready Mix concrete. This achievement underscores our commitment to innovation and pushing the boundaries of the industry.

When the concrete pavement at the Southern Bypass weigh-in-motion axle load station failed, KeNHA faced a significant challenge. Previous repairs had been ineffective due to concrete quality issues. In response, KeNHA specified Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) using Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC), a demanding standard.

As the sole regional producer of CEM I 52.5N OPC, the crucial component of UHPC, Bamburi Cement innovated a state-of-the-art solution. This solution surpassed KeNHA’s requirements, resulting in a resounding success. The repaired section of the Southern Bypass became a showcase, providing valuable testimonials and solidifying Bamburi Cement’s reputation as a leader in cement and concrete solutions.

Record Delivery: BSP’s Swift Completion of a Large-Scale Concrete Order

Bamburi Special Products (BSP) exemplified operational excellence and strict adherence to Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards. Recently, BSP successfully produced and delivered 1668 cubic meters of Ultra Waterproofed Concrete to a client in Nairobi’s Pangani area within 32 hours.

This achievement was made possible through the utilization of BSP’s extensive resources, including a fleet of 23 mixer trucks, two boom pumps, and a fixed pump, along with the operation of two batching plants. The order was fulfilled on time and in full due to meticulous logistical and operational planning, coupled with strong teamwork. To ensure continuous operations and manage fatigue, reliever drivers, pump operators, batchers, and quality teams were deployed. This accomplishment was a testament to the dedication and efficiency of the BSP team.

Circular Economy

Rethinking Waste with Geocycle

Geocycle revolutionizes waste management by turning waste into valuable resources, conserving natural reserves, and significantly reducing carbon emissions. By employing scientifically proven, industry-standard practices, Geocycle provides sustainable solutions that maximize resource utilization through effective recycling. These efforts play a vital role in advancing Bamburi Cement’s sustainability goals and fostering a circular economy.

Through innovative recycling and material recovery solutions, Geocycle minimizes the reliance on virgin raw materials, enhancing circularity in manufacturing processes. Sustainable resource use depends on recovery, reuse, and recycling to prevent the depletion of these critical yet limited natural assets.

As Bamburi Cement’s dedicated waste management brand, Geocycle collaborates with partners to extend product lifecycles by designing recycling solutions that ensure optimal material recovery and waste minimization.

Impact:

Performance in Numbers: Delivering on Circular Economy Goals

At Bamburi Cement, measurable progress is at the heart of our commitment to a circular economy. By 2030, we aim to achieve a 200% increase in waste recycling year on year, with consistent growth each year. In 2024, we set a new benchmark with a 98% substitution rates of fossil fuel in our grinding plant, marking a record performance in our Kenya operations. Over the past four years, Geocycle has recycled an impressive 385,603 tons of waste, highlighting our dedication to sustainability through tangible results.

Leading in Sustainable Waste Management at Mombasa Plant

Bamburi Cement PLC, through Geocycle, remains steadfast in providing innovative waste management solutions to local industries while fostering a circular economy.

In a recent demonstration of this commitment, the Mombasa Plant partnered with the government to sustainably manage 150 tons of wheat bran deemed unfit for human consumption. Geocycle facilitated the safe destruction of this waste, ensuring environmental protection and reinforcing our role as a leader in sustainable waste management.

The exercise was conducted under the watchful supervision of a multi-agency team comprising the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Kenya Police, and representatives from the Bamburi Cement fraternity.

Our Net Zero Pathway

Accelerating our Reduction in CO2 Intensity

The construction industry contributes 37% of global CO2 emissions, with 30% originating during construction and 70% during the building’s operational life cycle. To meet global climate commitments, the company has committed to a Net Zero Pathway, focusing on energy, materials, and carbon capture.

Scope 1 emissions in our formulations arise primarily from process emissions, particularly the calcination of clinker. Our key decarbonization strategies include utilizing alternative raw materials in place of virgin materials and replacing clinker with mineral industrial components. These efforts have enabled us to produce the widest range of eco-labelled green cement with 30% lower process emissions compared to ordinary Portland cement.

For Scope 1 emissions related to combustion, we are reducing emissions by:

Replacing high-carbon kiln fuels with alternative fuels, such as biomass. Improving energy efficiency in our production processes. For Scope 2 emissions, we are transitioning to alternative clean energy sources, such as solar power.

Reducing our environmental footprint is a core pillar of Bamburi Cement’s sustainability agenda. Our approach to green mobility focuses on lowering scope 3 emissions through strategic initiatives, including:

Frequent monitoring and emissions management: Ensuring we identify and address emission sources proactively.
Increased use of rail transport: Transitioning from road to rail transport, which has a lower carbon footprint. In 2024, 30% of our raw material transport was carried out via rail, significantly reducing emissions compared to road transport.

Promoting eco-driving practices: Training our drivers in eco-driving techniques to minimize fuel consumption and emissions

Women on Wheels Programme – Empowering Women, Transforming Lives

In Kenya, women make up only 10% of the workforce in public transportation, but account for 85% of the labor in the public service vehicle sector. This is partly due to the perception that women are not as empowered or trained as males to perform as well. Additionally, some women might not be aware of the financial opportunities the transportation industry presents for them and their families. By offering training to help the women acquire the necessary skills, knowledge, and mentorship, the Women on Wheels initiative, in collaboration with Kenyan private sector entities with transport and logistical capabilities, aims to bridge this gap.

The initiative has trained 58 women in total so far, with 20% of them being employed by our transportation fleet and the remaining women obtaining commercial driving positions with other companies. Cumulatively, the initiative has provided women with life-changing income earning opportunities and a pipeline for mentorship in a comfortable learning environment. From feedback by the program partners, women drivers appear to be safer drivers than men which contributes to improved fuel consumption, less maintenance, and less vehicle wear and tear, saving expenditures in the long term.

Two of our drivers received awards at the Kenya Women in Logistics Gala Dinner. Graduates completed training in defensive driving and vehicle management.

Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage is different from Energy and Formulation in that this is an entirely new field in our industry, and it has the potential to abate (capture) the emissions from both energy and formulation through end-of-pipe technologies.

Today, while there are many profitable levers to decarbonize our energy and formulation, so far CCUS projects are only viable with significant subsidies and strong policies that support decarbonization.

We track and disclose our emissions annually, guided by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) principles of accountability, transparency, and efficiency.

Using digital and smart tools for continuous measurement, we have enhanced our process analytics and established sustainable processes for circular value creation. These measures have allowed us to:

Maintain stack emissions such as SO2ₓ and NO2ₓ within regulatory limits.
Monitor effluent gases and collect critical data for compliance and performance tracking.

By continuously monitoring emissions, we ensure that our environmental impact is minimized and that we remain at the forefront of innovation in emission reduction.

Conducting Business with Zero Harm to People

Being a leader in the building materials industry means setting new health, safety and environmental standards. Our aspiration is to conduct a business with zero harm to people and to create a healthy and safe environment for our employees, contractors, communities, and customers; while minimizing our environmental footprint.

bamburi health safety and environment policy

Nature and Water

Progressive Quarry Rehabilitation

Building on our successful rehabilitation practices, we continued to transform mined out areas into thriving ecosystems for biodiversity conservation and sustainable land utilization. Bamburi Cement PLC continues to conduct reviews of its Quarry Rehabilitation and Biodiversity Management Plans to ensure that all actions and provisions are adhered to both the Environmental Management & Coordination Act of Kenya, 1999, and the Environmental Directives. The company maintains 100% implementation of its Quarry Rehabilitation Plans (QRP) across the mining sites.

Bamburi continues to implement its Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) across its sites. Biodiversity surveys are conducted to monitor key species like birds, mammals, butterflies, dragonflies, and vegetation. The identified species were checked against the IUCN Red List to determine their global conservation status, which was followed by species focused actions across the sites.

Waste water recycling is a key part of our water conservation strategy, particularly in our ready-mix operations, where concrete production demands significant water usage. While some of this water is incorporated into the final product, the majority is lost during truck cleaning.

To address this, we developed an efficient water recycling system. Used water flows through natural channels into a sedimentation tank, where solid particles settle. The treated water is then reclaimed and reused in concrete production, ensuring zero water wastage. The recycled water accounts for 26% of our freshwater withdrawal. This initiative represents a major step forward in our sustainability efforts, reinforcing our commitment to responsible resource management and environmental conservation.

People and Communities

Bamburi Cement’s Commitment to Social Impact Initiatives

Bamburi’s commitment to the communities around our operations remains a priority for the business. We are dedicated towards effectively driving our human rights and sustainable social impact initiatives. Our programs are anchored on the people pillar within our sustainability strategy, focusing on building goodwill and securing our social license to operate. Our social impact efforts concentrate on four key areas: Education, Infrastructure, Environment, and Health & Safety.

Recognizing the critical health challenges in Kenya, where cancer ranks as the third leading cause of death, Bamburi Cement is actively working to improve community well-being. We support the Bamburi Cancer Center at Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital in Mombasa, providing essential funding for infrastructure to offer chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. This support has enabled over 400 patients, many of whom are at-risk women, to receive vital healthcare.

Furthermore, our free cervical cancer screening clinics have served over 36,000 individuals, prioritizing early detection, particularly for underserved women and children with limited healthcare access. Through these initiatives, Bamburi Cement demonstrates its strong commitment to social welfare and addressing pivotal public health concerns.

Data from the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) indicates that Kenya has a high out-of-school rate for upper-secondary school-age youth, with poverty being a significant contributing factor.

In response to this, Bamburi Cement, operating across five remote and vulnerable counties, has implemented a scholarship program under its Education Pillar. This program provides full tuition, educational costs, termly maintenance, and mentorship to bright yet underprivileged students who might otherwise be unable to attend high school.

To date, the program has supported 107 students, alleviating financial constraints and positively impacting over 100,000 community members. It is anticipated that these students will become the first in their communities to obtain technical and vocational education certificates, college diplomas, and university degrees. Through this initiative, Bamburi Cement reinforces its dedication to community development and providing opportunities to those in need.

bamburi hallerpark quarry rehabilitation

Nature and Biodiversity

Quarry Rehabilitation and Conservation

For many decades Bamburi Cement has been known for its efforts in quarry rehabilitation and conservation through its environmental arm Bamburi group Eco Systems (LES). Its prominent examples being Bamburi Haller Park and Bamburi Forest Trails, a former quarry wastelands that are now rich ecosystems of diverse vegetation and wildlife (comprising rescued animals). Bamburi Haller Park is now a great tourist attraction at the Kenyan Coast and is also source of sharing experiences, expertise and knowledge with others through environmental education programs. The conservation agenda is broad.

Prioritizing Responsibility, Sustainability, and Ethical Conduct.

At Bamburi Cement, sustainability is deeply embedded in our procurement strategy. We are committed to ensuring that our sourcing practices prioritize responsibility, sustainability, and ethical conduct. By fostering sustainable competitiveness, protecting human rights, and minimizing environmental impacts across our supply chain, we aim to create a positive ripple effect that benefits not only our business but also the communities and environments we operate in.

Through collaboration with our suppliers and stakeholders, we strive to build a resilient and sustainable supply chain that aligns with global best practices in responsible procurement.

n 2024, Bamburi Cement achieved a significant milestone by ensuring 100% of our suppliers were prequalified based on Environmental, Social, Governance, and Health & Safety (ESG/HS) criteria. This success reflects our dedication to embedding sustainability and safety within our supply chain processes.

Recognizing that some suppliers faced challenges meeting these rigorous standards, we prioritized capacity building and knowledge sharing. Tailored training sessions and hands-on support enabled suppliers to bridge gaps, empowering them to align with our sustainability goals. This achievement not only strengthened our supplier relationships but also reinforced our commitment to driving positive change throughout the supply chain.

As part of our broader efforts to foster inclusivity and equity, Bamburi Cement has intensified its focus on supporting women-owned, youth-owned and people living with disabilities-owned businesses. By raising awareness, building capacity, and enhancing local industry participation, we aim to create more opportunities for women entrepreneurs to thrive in private sector procurement.

In 2024, we partnered with leading organizations, including the IFC/World Bank Group, IFC’s Sourcing2Equal Kenya program, WE Connect International, and Strathmore University, to host a virtual training session. This session equipped participants with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate private sector procurement opportunities, understand procurement processes, and meet requirements.

These initiatives are part of our ambition to allocate 30% of our total procurement spend to special groups, including women-owned businesses. We are proud to report that in 2024, our procurement spend on this category increased to 15.6%, reflecting our ongoing commitment to building an inclusive and diverse supplier base.

bamburi cement sustainability pillar - sustainable procurement