A new cement business, Big Boss Cement Inc, was launched in Manila, Philippines, on Thursday, according to ABS-CBN News. The company plans to use lahar or other volcanic debris to produce cement, since the process requires less heat than conventional raw materials and therefore, will  reduce CO2 emissions.  The chairman of Big Boss Cement, Henry Sy Jr, also serves as chairman of SM Prime Holdings.

"There’s a huge demand for cement. The company believes we should be able to fill in the demand instead of relying on imports," said Gilbert Cruz, president of Big Boss Cement.

Mr Cruz also said that the company hopes to fulfill three per cent of the estimated 25Mta demand for cement in the Philippines, which may increase to 40Mta by 2022.

The company’s plant is in Porac town, and is expected to produce 1.5m bags per month priced at PHP206 (US$4) each. Big Boss Cement expects to begin operations by March.