Cemex aims to increase the use of alternative fuels and clean development mechanisms (CDMs) at its cement plants, according to CFO Rodrigo Treviño.

"We will continue to develop projects that look to reduce our energy use," Treviño said in a conference call with analysts.

In Q3, Cemex achieved an alternative fuel utilisation rate of close to 22%, an improvement on 17% during 3Q09, the executive added.

Cemex currently has three CDMs: the 250MW Eurus wind project in Oaxaca state and biomass fuel projects at its Colorado plant in Costa Rica and Caracolito plant in Colombia. All three were opened in 2009.
"These projects have already begun to generate carbon emission reductions," Treviño said, adding that the firm expects the three projects to eventually produce some 800,000 CO2 credits annually.