BTU students experience cement production up close at Cemex!

BTU students experience cement production up close at Cemex!

Around 40 students from the BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg gained profit insights into the cement industry at the end of May 2025. As part of an excursion to the cement manufacturer Cemex, they visited the production site in Rüdersdorf near Berlin. This excursion was organized by the Department of Decarbonization and Transformation of Industry (DTI) and fell into the "Communication of Science and Technology" module.

This year's focus topic of the module is the German cement industry with a special focus on decarbonization and sustainability transformation. During the excursion, the students had the opportunity to speak directly to industrial representatives and to develop their own science communication videos and group presentations for different target groups. These practical experiences are particularly valuable because they offer students the opportunity to use theoretical knowledge in a real industrial context.

insights into manufacturing processes and transformation

The excursion gave the participants detailed insights into the production processes of cement and the current transformation processes that take place in the industry. The students collected video and audio materials for their projects, which strengthens the practical reference to their studies.

Cemex itself relies on innovative solutions to reduce CO₂ emissions. The use of alternative fuels is a central element of this strategy. These ecological fuels supply the ovens with energy and offer advantages for the environment by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. In particular, biomass that arises as a by -product can be used in this way - instead of landing as a waste on landfill, where it would create methane, a strongly effective greenhouse gas. The use of by -products from other manufacturing processes, such as slags, also contributes to the circular economy and prevents the deposit of these materials.

advantages of the circular economy for climate protection

The implementation of a circular economy in the cement industry also brings four decisive advantages for climate protection. This strategy not only avoids waste, but also maximizes the benefits of materials and energy - an important step in combating climate change. According to the Environmental Federal Office is the cement industries one of the largest causes of CO₂ emissions, which is why such initiatives are essential for a sustainable future.