Displaying items by tag: net zero
Jamaica: Caribbean Cement is allocating US$8m, 20% of its planned US$40m investment in 2024, to increase sustainability efforts at its Rockfort plant. The company is aiming to become net-zero by increasing its use of alternative fuels and repurposing materials like tyres, which will also help to save on operational expenses and fuel costs, according to the company.
The repurposing of tyres, which commenced following a Government of Jamaica partnership, will remove a ‘significant’ portion of the estimated 1.5m tyres at the country’s Riverton dump, along with other materials such as pallets, which Caribbean Cement now uses as alternative fuel sources in the cement manufacturing process. With the help of its XRC3000c shredder obtained from Austria-based company UNTHA, Caribbean Cement said it has shredded more than 9000 tyres to date.
Managing director Jorge Martínez said “At the moment our first goal for the end of 2024 is to at least reach 10% alternative fuels. We will remove some of those fuels that are not renewable, substituting it with ones that are. This is part of our future in action programme. Some of these actions are also related to the reuse of some materials in the plant as we take waste materials from other industries and beach clean-ups for repurposing. We try to reuse them in any way we can.”
US: Cemex, in collaboration with the Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) and supported by the Bezos Earth Fund, is undertaking an analysis of decarbonisation strategies at its Balcones cement plant in Texas, US. This initiative is part of Cemex's broader goal to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050. The analysis will explore various technological pathways including the use of alternative fuels, incorporation of lower-carbon materials, carbon capture and storage and the utilisation of captured carbon for producing synthetic fuels, chemicals, or construction materials. The partnership focuses on innovations such as substituting traditional fossil fuels with waste, renewable gas, biomass, hydrogen and electrification in the cement production process.
CEO of Cemex, Fernando González said “Our collaboration with the Mission Possible Partnership represents a joint effort seeking to accelerate our sustainable commitments and comprehensively evaluate the extent to which we can utilise decarbonisation levers within a specific plant ecosystem. This involves leveraging scalable technologies that would contribute to achieving our ambitious decarbonisation goals on the path to becoming a net-zero company by 2050.”
UK: C-Capture has initiated a carbon capture trial at Heidelberg Materials’ Ketton cement works in Rutland, as part of its national 'XLR8 CCS' project aimed at accelerating low-cost carbon capture solutions in industries like cement and glass. The trial utilises C-Capture’s technology, which employs a solvent to selectively capture CO₂ from emissions. According to the company, this process does not rely on the use of amines, therefore requiring 40% less energy than conventional methods and reduces costs. The carbon capture solvent compatibility unit designed by C-Capture and partner Wood will test the effectiveness of this technology in removing CO₂ from flue gas emissions produced during the cement manufacturing process.
XLR8 CCS is funded with €2m from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero’s €1.2bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio. The funding is part of the €23m Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) Innovation 2.0 programme aimed at accelerating the deployment of next-generation CCUS technology in the UK. Additional private sector contributions support a €3.1m total.
C-Capture CEO Tom White said "Decarbonising industry is one of the most pressing global issues. C-Capture’s XLR8 CCS project is a critical step in the race to net zero as we work with our innovative technology and leading industry partners to demonstrate that an affordable carbon capture solution is a reality – even for industries that are difficult to decarbonise. We are incredibly proud to be working with our project partners which have strong commitments to decarbonisation and are early adopters of novel carbon capture technology."
Simon Willis, CEO of Heidelberg Materials UK said “Carbon capture is a critical part of our strategy to decarbonise cement production and essential if we are to reach net zero and help our customers achieve their own decarbonisation goals. Our venture with C-Capture is another example of our commitment to developing new technologies and, if successful, has the potential to be rolled out at other sites across the Heidelberg Materials Group.”
TCMA chair sets goal for net zero 2050
08 April 2024Thailand: Chair of the Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), Dr Chana Poomee, announced the company’s new strategy, called 'TCMA Synergising the Actions toward Net Zero 2050'. This strategy aims to drive the cement industry towards clean energy transition, connect with global green funds and address climate change.
The vision involves four key missions for 2024-2026, including developing low-carbon cement, enhancing resource-efficient mining practices, building an integrated waste-to-value ecosystem, and transitioning to clean energy.
The TCMA also aims to reduce its CO₂ emissions by 6.9Mt/yr by 2030. Collaborations with various partners, including the Thailand Fellowship Cement Manufacturers and the Thai Bankers Association, are planned to leverage innovation and government policy support.
Switzerland: ABB and Captimise have enhanced their collaboration, focusing on advancing cost-effective carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies in the cement industry. Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership will develop various studies, including screening, feasibility, and FEED, aiding cement producers to identify efficient carbon capture solutions across their operations. The joint effort is expected to bolster the cement industry's efforts to meet its climate and net-zero targets.
CEO of Captimise, Mattias Jones, said “We draw on a track-record of more than 25 live case studies with CO₂ emitters across Europe and the US and know we’ll be able to support operations of all sizes in cement through combined CCUS, automation and electrification technologies.”
Global Business Unit Manager at ABB Process Industries, Max Tschurtschenthaler, said “Reducing the CO₂ emissions from cement manufacturing is a major challenge and a top priority for this industry. We are on a mission to make it more cost-effective. By combining our world-class automation, electrification and digital technologies with the know-how of partners like Captimise, we can further support the cement industry in achieving their climate and net zero targets.”
Cemsuisse urges CBAM adjustment for cement industry
25 March 2024Switzerland: The decision of the Swiss government in June 2023 against the implementation of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) has been strongly criticised by the Swiss cement association, Cemsuisse. The association warns of a potential relocation of the Swiss cement industry without such a mechanism, referencing a report by Polynomics. This report concludes that a Swiss CBAM is necessary to level the playing field with EU and non-EU cement suppliers. The EU initiated a CBAM test phase in October 2023, aiming to mitigate production relocation risks to countries with less stringent environmental regulations.
The federal government concluded that a CBAM in Switzerland would benefit few emission-intensive industries at the expense of the wider economy, while also facing regulatory and trade policy risks. It plans to reassess the need for a CBAM in mid-2026, in line with the EU's interim CBAM report.
Cemsuisse, referencing the Polynomics report, states that waiting to potentially introduce a CBAM in Switzerland is not an option. Investments in carbon capture and storage (CCS) are deemed essential for Switzerland's net-zero climate goal and without a CBAM, there is a risk of these investments being unviable due to uncertainty over cost recovery.
The report also points to the risk of increased clinker imports from third countries into the EU, which would be processed and then exported to Switzerland without CBAM levies. As an example, Cemsuisse mentions a planned milling station in Ottmarsheim, Alsace. It says that without a CBAM, the production site in Switzerland faces serious threats.
Cemsuisse said “Without CBAM, this certainty is lacking. And without CCUS, long-term production in Switzerland won't be viable. The population has accepted the climate protection law last summer, where the net-zero goal is legally anchored."
Furno Materials secures US$6.5m in seed funding
20 March 2024US: Furno Materials completed an oversubscribed US$6.5m seed funding round on 13 March 2023. Subsequently, the start-up unveiled plans for its Furno Brick carbon-neutral modular cement plant, which can use a variety of gaseous fuels. The plant scales on demand, drastically reducing the barrier to entry for local or small-scale cement production.
Furno CEO Gurinder Nagra said “At Furno, we have the ability to produce ordinary Portland cement now, to adapt to a range of gas-based fuels and materials innovations as they emerge and to meet demand where it exists, while still abiding by a shifting regulatory landscape. Our mission is to go the distance by innovating at the heart of cement production and operating as a complement to other technological developments in the cement space. Our cement far exceeds ASTM International standards, a bare-minimum quality threshold. While most companies tout meeting these standards and stop there, we have continued to refine our process and are on target to surpass the even higher commercial requirements set by significantly-sized customers eager for our solution.”
Mexico/Spain: Cemex has entered a partnership with energy transition investor White Summit Capital to develop projects that will contribute to its 2050 net-zero objectives. The partnership focuses on decarbonising operations and circularity, including reducing its cement’s clinker factor, optimising its fuel mix and transforming refuse into energy.
Sergio Menéndez, president of Cemex Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia, said “We are pleased to have entered this collaboration with White Summit Capital and are excited to explore how together we can develop innovative solutions to decarbonise Cemex Europe operations and further strengthen our circularity positioning.”
Saint-Gobain invests in low-carbon cement technologies
15 March 2024France: Saint-Gobain is intensifying its commitment to low-carbon cement and concrete additives. The group has invested in Fortera, a start-up developing a process for low-carbon cement production. Fortera's ReCarb process reduces CO2 emissions by 70% in existing cement plants, contributing significantly to the goal of net-zero carbon cement production, especially when combined with renewable energy. Additionally, Saint-Gobain supports Ecocem, a leading company in low-carbon cement technologies in Europe, as a shareholder. Ecocem's ACT technology showcases a 70% reduction in carbon footprint compared to the average CEM II cement used in Europe.
Global: The Green Cement Technology Tracker, launched by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT), has expanded its scope to include calcined clay production, a significant step in cement industry decarbonisation. This tool, vital for tracking progress towards net zero emissions, initially focused on various decarbonising technologies and has now broadened to cover calcined clay kilns, which have lower energy requirements and CO2 reduction potential.
LeadIT Head Per Andersson said “In order to empower the industry and policymakers committed to emission reductions, our goal is to provide comprehensive tracking of public announcements of investments in low-carbon cement technologies.”
GCCA’s Cement, Innovation and ESG Director Claude Loréa said “Driving down emissions requires investment in new technologies and production methods and incorporating calcined clay can contribute significantly, making it a valuable strategy for sustainable construction.”