Mexico Turns 200,000 Old Tires Into Cement Fuel Monthly

Millions of old tires that once piled up in illegal dumps across Mexico are getting a second life as clean fuel for cement plants.

Cement companies Moctezuma and Holcim are now converting end-of-life tires into tire-derived fuel, a powerful energy source that burns hotter than coal while producing fewer harmful emissions. The shift is helping Mexico tackle two problems at once: reducing carbon emissions and eliminating hazardous tire waste that poses fire and health risks in communities.

Moctezuma just opened Mexico's first State Circular Economy Center for Tire Transformation in Morelos. The $1.7 million facility can process 3,000 tons of tires each month, turning 200,000 used tires into alternative fuel for cement production.

The science behind it is surprisingly simple. Old tires contain 25% to 50% more energy than coal, making them incredibly efficient for the high-temperature furnaces used in cement manufacturing. When burned under controlled conditions, they also release fewer nitrogen and sulfur oxides than traditional fossil fuels.

Governor Margarita González of Morelos celebrated the environmental breakthrough. "All programs related to environmental protection are fundamental to our administration," she said, highlighting the partnership between government and industry.

The center supports a broader goal. Moctezuma aims to replace 30% of its fossil fuels with alternatives by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions in the same timeframe. The company already reduced emissions by 12% between 2020 and 2024.

Swiss company Holcim is running parallel efforts through its subsidiary Geocycle. Since 2024, they've processed more than 100,000 tons of waste tires across Mexico, part of their larger program handling over 550,000 tons of industrial and municipal waste annually.

The infrastructure extends beyond the new center. Moctezuma's Tepetzingo plant, which launched last August with a $13.5 million investment, now processes over 150,000 tons of waste yearly. That's equivalent to all the waste generated by 300,000 people.

Municipalities across Morelos are establishing collection schedules under the state's Solid Waste Law. Tire shops, repair centers, landfills, and even individual citizens can now deliver used tires to designated collection points instead of dumping them.

The Ripple Effect

This transformation creates benefits far beyond cleaner air. Communities once threatened by toxic tire fires now see those same tires become valuable resources. New jobs are emerging in collection, transportation, and processing.

The economic advantages extend through entire value chains. Tire retailers and repair shops become active participants in environmental solutions rather than sources of waste problems. Cement companies gain energy independence while strengthening their competitive position through sustainable practices.

José María Barroso, CEO of Moctezuma and President of Mexico's National Chamber of Cement, put it plainly: "Circular economy is no longer an alternative for the cement industry; it is a necessity."

In 2024 alone, Moctezuma valorized more than 36,000 tons of waste that would have otherwise filled landfills, demonstrating that industrial-scale environmental solutions are not just possible but profitable.

Mexico is proving that yesterday's trash can power tomorrow's progress.