Displaying items by tag: Roadmap

Switzerland: ABB has launched a white paper outlining the challenges the global cement industry must tackle to decarbonise operations in line with global emissions reduction targets and the role technology will play in this.

The white paper is supported by industry associations and, in it, ABB details a technology roadmap for potential solutions to achieve net-zero targets. It combines insights from a range of key industry players - including customers, technology partners, industry media and associations - along with ABB’s commercial specialisation. It details the benefits of advanced electrification used in tandem with technologies adopted through industry collaborations. The white paper also includes discussions around how sustainable cement could be defined, as well as practical advice as to what steps producers can immediately take in their decarbonisation journey. Electrification is identified as a major component in the decarbonisation of the cement industry, with the ability to replace fossil fuel burners with electrified, or zero-carbon, solutions. These are predicted to help significantly reduce emissions in line with industry ambitions.

ABB sells products in the electrification and automation sectors. Its Process Automation business automates, electrifies and digitalises industrial operations that address a wide range of essential needs. Its products are marketed to help customers in process, hybrid and maritime industries improve performance and safety of operations.

The full white paper can be accessed online here: https://new.abb.com/cement/campaigns/cementing-a-sustainable-future

Azerbaijan: The Azerbaijan Cement Producers Association (ASIA) has held the third Net Zero Accelerator workshop to discuss the final report on its 2050 Net Zero Roadmap. ASIA members, construction companies and government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) all participated in the two-day event. TurkicWorld News has reported that topics include Azerbaijani cement’s clinker factor, alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate, construction and design aspects, carbon capture and related regulatory frameworks. ASIA will launch its finalised roadmap in partnership with the European Cement Research Academy (ECRA) and the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) at the COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

ASIA said "The association is making use of the expertise of the GCCA and ECRA to ensure our roadmap aligns with national policies."

India: UltraTech Cement has obtained a $500m sustainability-linked loan from Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, State Bank of India, BNP Paribas and other lenders. Capital Market News has reported that the conditions for the loan align with UltraTech's 2050 Net-Zero Roadmap. Under the roadmap, the subsidiary of Aditya Birla Group aims to reduce its Scope 1 CO₂ emissions per tonne of cementitious material by 27% between 2017 and 2032, and to raise its reliance on renewables to 85% of its energy consumption by 2030.

UltraTech Cement previously issued sustainability-linked bonds in 2021.

Peru: Unacem has unveiled its roadmap to 2030, committing to a carbon emissions target of 500kg of CO₂/t of cement by 2030 across all operations, a reduction from the current 607kg/t. The company plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and is investing US$300m to meet these goals.

In 2023, Unacem achieved a CO₂ reduction of 5kg/t of cement and targets a further 6kg/t reduction in 2024, with medium-term goals of 21kg/t and 16kg/t for 2025 and 2026, respectively. The roadmap also includes enhancing thermal efficiency and transitioning to 100% clean energy for its Peruvian operations by 2035.

Global: 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.

Indonesia: The Ministry of Industry is preparing a comprehensive roadmap for decarbonising the cement industry, due for initial implementation by the end of 2025. Newsbase Daily News has reported that that the roadmap includes targets for CO₂ emissions reduction, alternative fuels substitution and energy efficiency. It will also focus on developing new technologies and implementing supportive policies for the transition. The ministry noted that the Indonesian cement industry is already working to reduce its carbon footprint through multiple initiatives.

Belgium: The Alliance for Low-Carbon Cement & Concrete (ALCCC) has marked its first anniversary with a new policy roadmap aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2040. Initiated in May 2023, the alliance brings together environmental NGOs and industry stakeholders to transform the cement and concrete sectors. The ALCCC has grown significantly, now comprising 25 members.

Senior programme manager Joren Verschaeve from ECOS, the coordinator of ALCCC, said "Our members show that the technologies needed to make low-carbon cement and concrete the norm already exist. This uniquely positions our Alliance to raise the alarm when policies and standards lead to unfair competition instead of a greener future – and the latter is perfectly achievable if policymakers implement our roadmap."

France: Holcim has committed €200m over the past three years to decarbonise its French manufacturing sites. This initiative is part of a roadmap signed with the French government in November 2023, aiming to reduce CO₂ emissions by over 50% by 2030 and 95% by 2050 compared to 2015 levels.

At the 7th Choose France summit on 13 May 2024, Holcim announced an additional investment of €64m for developing new technological and industrial platforms across its seven French plants located in Saint-Pierre-la-Cour, Martres-Tolosane, Port-la-Nouvelle, Val d'Azergues, Le Teil, Altkirch and La Malle. These platforms, set to be operational between 2025 and 2026, will focus on CO₂ capture technology (€9m at Martres Tolosane), integration of construction waste in cement processes (€24m across all plants), and the use of biomass waste fuels (€13m at Saint-Pierre-la-Cour, €11m at Martres-Tolosane, and €1m at Port-la-Nouvelle). An additional €6m will be allocated to recycling and transformation platforms for construction waste in five urban areas: Laval, Le Havre, Martres-Tolosane, Orange and Lyon.

These investments are expected to reduce Holcim's CO₂ emissions in France by over 120,000t/yr and create more than 40 jobs.

Europe: Cembureau has released an update to its net zero roadmap. The roadmap now aims for a 37% reduction in CO₂ emissions related to cement production by 2030, 78% by 2040 and net zero cement production by 2050, with potential to become carbon negative.

The roadmap also states the key policy measures needed to meet these updated goals, including: The implementation of a watertight carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), the increase in funding for decarbonisation initiatives, the need for guaranteed access to affordable decarbonised energy, infrastructure and raw materials, as well as the creation of lead markets for low carbon, circular products.

President of Cembureau, Ken McKnight said "In the past four years, the European cement sector has clearly moved from ambition to deployment. We have the potential to scale up our climate ambition, but we need policymakers to match this ambition through decisive policies."

World: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has signed a new agreement with the China Cement Association (CCA). The agreement constitutes an historic ‘partnership pledge’ to accelerate cement decarbonisation globally in 2024 – 2026. The partners says that their collaboration will contribute to the development and launch of the upcoming China Cement Carbon Neutrality Roadmap. Equipment supplier Sinoma International Engineering and the European Cement Research Academy (ECRA) will also help to develop the roadmap. The GCCA previously launched its own global net zero roadmap in 2021. Together, GCCA and CCA members account for 90% of global cement production in capacity terms.

GCCA CEO Thomas Guillot, said “The world needs leadership and collaboration like never before, especially on addressing the key issue of our time, climate change. This agreement between the China industry and the global industry is a signal to the world that we stand ready to deliver the essential decarbonised building materials that our planet needs. Cement and concrete enable the key infrastructure, thriving and resilient communities, clean water, safe homes and the shift to clean energy that are essential to a future sustainable world.”

CCA Executive president Kong Xiangzhong said “This important agreement marks a win-win cooperation, and shows where we can collaborate effectively to bring insights, technical know-how and greater focus to our shared decarbonisation mission. I am sure this will create a mutually-beneficial and long-term partnership that will be crucial in building a more sustainable world.”