14 July 2026 - In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Sinem Demir Duru, Operations Officer and Asia Cement Sector Lead at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about the role of finance, policy, and industry collaboration in accelerating the decarbonisation of the global cement sector. Sinem discusses how IFC combines investment, technical advisory, and strategic partnerships to help scale energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and other decarbonisation initiatives across one of the world's fastest-growing cement markets. The conversation also explores why increasing diversity is essential for attracting new perspectives, strengthening leadership, and driving innovation across the cement value chain. Looking ahead, Sinem shares her perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry as it works towards net zero, and the partnerships, investments, and policy frameworks that will be needed to accelerate the transition while supporting long-term industrial growth.
Cement production is responsible for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is possibly the hardest to abate sector. In this podcast series, the World Cement Association talks to industry leaders, experts and technological innovators from across the globe, bringing insights and fresh perspectives on how the cement sector can decarbonise and improve sustainability. Suitable for anyone interested in climate change mitigation and industrial sustainability.
Contributors:
Dr Daniel Summerbell
Clinker Factor Guest Host: Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer, Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re)
Dr Daniel Summerbell is Co-Founder and Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and a Visiting Industrial Fellow at the Institute for Manufacturing. With a background in process engineering across a range of industries in the US, Canada & Europe, he began a programme of research into the cement industry in 2014.Dan's PhD research focused on cost-effective environmental improvements in industry, with a particular focus on construction and the cement industry. He is the developer of the Zero Loss Sustainability Toolkit and other interests include industrial demand-side management of electricity, and material efficiency approaches.
Prior to pursuing a research career, he worked in manufacturing operations across the UK, Europe and North America, including in the consumer products, food & drink, mining and energy industries.
Sinem Demir Duru
Clinker Factor Guest: Operations Officer/Asia Cement Sector Lead, International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Sinem is an environmental and civil engineer with over 15 years of global experience in decarbonization within the manufacturing sector. She currently serves as the Cement Sector Lead for Asia at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), where she is part of the MAS Asia Pre-Investment and Advisory team based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In this role, she focuses on advancing decarbonization strategies, market growth, and supporting the transition to Net Zero practices across the region’s cement industry.
Since joining the World Bank Group in 2015, Sinem has played key roles in leading multi-year, multi-country programs that promote sustainable industrialization. She has contributed to the development of global knowledge products and strategy papers on cement sector decarbonization, while also working in finance and advisory initiatives to help cement players adopt energy-efficient and low-carbon solutions.
Before joining IFC, Sinem gained valuable experience in the private sector, working across engineering and finance roles on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and decarbonization projects.