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Displaying items by tag: GCCA
Global: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) have entered a partnership to accelerate the decarbonisation of the cement and concrete industry, focusing on the global south. This collaboration, formalised through a memorandum of understanding, commits both organisations to advancing sustainability and decarbonisation. Their joint efforts will include developing low-emission technologies, organising international events and promoting industry solutions globally.
GCCA CEO Thomas Guillot said "Through our net zero roadmap and the accelerator programme we have put in place, we are already working with policymakers, governments and industry to overcome procurement and resourcing challenges across the global south. Having this ground-breaking agreement with UNIDO is a natural progression which we hope will fast-track progress in a meaningful way."
Canadian government sets out priorities for decarbonising the global cement and concrete sectors
07 June 2024Global: Ministers from Canada and the UAE have established priority actions to decarbonise the global sector. The announcement follows the initiative's launch at the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in December 2023.
The plan outlines sector-specific actions across themes such as education, innovation and environmental coordination. These efforts aim to make ‘near-carbon neutral’ cement production the preferred option globally by 2030.
In addition, the government of Canada and the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) have announced a new partnership aimed at accelerating decarbonisation in Thailand’s cement and concrete sectors. The collaboration was unveiled in conjunction with the CEO Gathering and Leaders Conference in Bangkok, hosted by the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA). The partnership will provide technical assistance and investment support to develop policies, a regulatory framework and a national net-zero roadmap.
Global: Policymakers, including those from the governments of Canada, the UAE and Thailand, are meeting cement industry CEOs in Bangkok to discuss how to further advance the decarbonisation of the cement industry. Thailand’s Minister of Industry, Pimphattra Wichaikul, opened the conference.
Wichaikul said “Thailand is one of the first countries in the word with a credible national roadmap for delivering on the cement industry’s net zero commitments. Key to success is innovation, cross-sectorial cooperation, strong leadership with clear targets and international collaboration to drive policy and implementation.”
Fernando González, CEO of Cemex and President of the GCCA, said “We have strong commitments and are already delivering the goal of building a more sustainable industry, and by working with governments, policymakers, built environment experts and other key players we have the opportunity to accelerate our progress in this important ‘decade to deliver’.”
The UN’s Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) also unveiled a new package of investment, technical and other support, to help Thailand decarbonise its own cement industry.
Global: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has announced new collaborations between global cement manufacturers and technology start-ups, focusing on the development of low carbon concrete. Four start-ups—EnviCore in Canada, Queens Carbon and Chement, both in the US and NeoCrete in New Zealand—were part of the 2023 GCCA Innovandi Open Challenge and have now partnered with cement manufacturers. These partnerships aim to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete.
The startups will receive access to industry plants, labs and networks to fast-track their technologies. They will also demonstrate their progress on 6th June 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand, during the GCCA's CEO and Leaders Conference. The association continues its efforts under the 2050 Net Zero Concrete Roadmap, with 29 new start-ups shortlisted this year to work on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technology.
Switzerland: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) is holding its Innovandi Global Cement and Concrete Research Network (GCCRN) Spring Week at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) campus on 22 – 26 April 2024. 450 delegates from over 40 academic institutions will attend the event, featuring workshops, idea exchanges and progress reviews focused on the decarbonisation of cement and concrete by 2050. Topics include the use of AI, alternative materials and processes, concrete recycling, renewables, kiln electrification and carbon capture.
GCCRN industrial chair and Cemex global research development vice president and Davide Zampini said “If we are to reach our goal of net zero concrete by 2050, then we cannot do so alone. We need to explore as well as harness solutions and collaboration well beyond our industry. That’s why Spring Week is so important.”
GCCRN scientific chair Karen Scrivener said “Everyone here at EPFL is proud to be hosting this year’s Spring Week, anticipated as our largest gathering yet, marking a significant milestone in our journey toward net zero research.”
Global: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has received nearly 100 applications from worldwide tech start-ups for its Innovandi Open Challenge, which targets the decarbonisation of cement and concrete. This year's challenge is centred on carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies.
Thomas Guillot, GCCA’s Chief Executive, said "There are already more than 100 CCUS cement industry pilots, projects and announcements in the pipeline across the world – with the world’s first commercial scale carbon capture and storage plant set to complete later this year. Innovation will help our industry to deploy this technology further and faster."
Claude Loréa, GCCA’s Cement, Innovation and ESG Director, said "It’s really encouraging to see nearly 100 applications for our Innovandi Open Challenge and from all parts of the world. As well as the US, UK and India, we’ve received applications from China, Greece and Australia for the first time. It demonstrates the high level of interest in working with our industry to make cement and concrete net zero. We’re looking forward to assessing all the applications, in detail."
The association, alongside over 50 experts from member companies, will now review and shortlist the most deployable technologies, offering shortlisted start-ups access to key industry resources and networks.
The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) is shining a light on the essential work of women in the cement industry around the world.
To mark International Women’s Day 2024, the GCCA invited women working in its member companies around the world on their perspectives on working in global heavy industry, the importance of gender diversity, and for any career advice they can offer to other women keen to work in the cement and concrete industry. You can hear their thoughts in the videos here.
UAE/UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has welcomed the first international agreement to transition away from fossil fuels, signed by 200 countries at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai. The GCCA said that the deal recognises the need for deep, rapid and sustained reductions in global CO2 emissions.
GCCA chief executive officer Thomas Guillot said “We welcome the progress made at COP28. Decarbonising global industries such as ours will take the collective effort of governments and industry, finance and policymakers, scientists and civil society, all working together. On behalf of our industry and alongside our members who represent the majority of cement production globally, we participated in the preparation and launch of a number of key initiatives that will help enable the shift to net zero – including the Industrial Transition Accelerator, Cement Breakthrough, and Carbon Management Challenge.” He added “We are fully committed to decarbonising our sector and have a detailed net zero commitment and pathway which we are already working towards, including the substitution of fossil fuels, the use of renewable energy and the deployment of new technologies such as CCUS.”
Nuada signs carbon capture partnerships with Cementos Argos, Cementos Molins, Holcim and Siam Cement Group
13 December 2023World: Carbon capture technology developer Nuada has entered into partnerships with four global cement market leaders. Cementos Argos, Cementos Molins, Holcim and Siam Cement Group (SCG) will all collaborate with Nuada to evaluate its latest carbon capture system for use in cement plants. The parties concluded the agreements with the support of the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), through its Innovandi Open Challenge.
Cementos Argos future tech leader Daniel Duque said “The GCCA Innovandi Open Challenge is a tremendous initiative where cement players collaborate with innovative companies that are developing the technologies and business models of a low CO2 construction industry. Nuada technology is a very interesting proposal with great potential.”
Cementos Molins’ chief innovation officer, Ignacio Machimbarrena, said “We are steadfast in our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Acknowledging the crucial role of carbon capture in this mission, we see Nuada's innovative Metal-Organic Framework (MOF) technology as a promising solution. Cementos Molins is fully dedicated to supporting this pioneering technology and collaborating with industry partners to pave the way for a greener future.”
Holcim’s global head of research and development, Edelio Bermejo, said “With carbon capture projects around the world and a commitment to invest US$2.28bn by 2030, we are leading our industry’s transition to a net-zero future. Partnering with Nuada will facilitate the testing and accelerate the deployment of their technology, ultimately supporting the scaling up of carbon capture efforts. We look forward to continued innovation and collaboration within the industry towards the goal of a net-zero future.”
SCG carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) director Surachai Vangrattanachai said "Collaborating with Nuada has been instrumental in our pursuit of innovative solutions. Their commitment to advancing technology aligns seamlessly with SCG's vision for sustainable progress. Together, we aim to pioneer transformative initiatives that drive us closer to net zero emissions.”
The GCCA’s cement, innovation and ESG director Claude Loréa said “This announcement is a testament to the success of the GCCA’s pioneering Innovandi Open Challenge Programme. It’s great to see Nuada – one of the first start-ups we worked with when we launched the programme in 2021, going from strength to strength, and helping to develop the vital carbon capture technology our industry needs to help us achieve net zero by 2050.”
Nuada co-chief executive director Conor Hamill said “The commitment of these major cement players to collaborate with Nuada attests to the potential of our carbon capture innovation as a cornerstone solution for low-carbon cement, and we eagerly anticipate working together to accelerate its deployment.”
UAE/UK: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has welcomed the launch of the Canada/UAE co-led Cement Breakthrough Initiative at the COP28 climate conference in Dubai on 6 December 2023. Prior to the launch of the initiative, the GCCA hosted a roundtable for representatives of the cement industry and governments.
GCCA chief executive officer Thomas Guillot said "We support and welcome the launch of the Cement Breakthrough Initiative. Cement and concrete are essential for so much of our modern world and will also be needed for meeting the challenges ahead. They will play a key role in providing resilient and sustainable infrastructure and safely housing communities around our planet. Our member companies are fully committed to a net zero future – and it will take the combined efforts of industry and government to deliver on this commitment. This is the decade to deliver, and we are delighted to work with the Cement Breakthrough Initiative and the government of Canada to accelerate the transition."