Germany: The German Cement Works Association (VDZ) has published a study entitled ‘Decarbonising cement and concrete: a CO₂ roadmap for the German cement industry,’ detailing the planned transformation to cement industry-wide carbon neutrality by 2050.

The study says that a decarbonisation scenario based on conventional reduction measures would cut carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 36% between 2019 and 2050. Chief executive officer (CEO) Martin Schneider said that the sector is already “reaching the limits of its potential for any further reduction in the volume of CO₂, particularly as the process-related emissions specifically associated with clinker production cannot be lowered by employing conventional means." As such, the association proposed a “completely new approach to the production of cement and its use in concrete” in order to realise full climate neutrality. It proposes that cement producers help to reduce concrete’s clinker factor, capturing the remaining CO₂ from necessary cement production.

Schneider said, "We have placed the decarbonisation of cement and concrete at the heart of our activities. It will be essential to achieve an integrated approach, incorporating the entire construction value chain.” In order for this more radical scenario to work, he added, “Another essential factor will be to involve society as a whole in this process."

Italy: The Italian cement and concrete association Federbeton says that investments in sustainable technologies in domestic cement production totalled Euro110m between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2019. This reduced carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by 311,000t in 2019 alone, up by 12% year-on-year from the reduction in 2018. An increased alternative fuel (AF) substitution rate of 6.7% in 2019 contributed to the reduction, up by 0.7% from 6.6%. Producers’ full-year AF consumption was 1.6Mt.

Spain: Cementos Cosmos has partnered with France-based EDF energy to establish a 6.2MW solar power plant in Toral de los Vados, León, at a cost of Euro4m. The Diario de León newspaper has reported that the plant intends to use 9.0GWhr/yr of energy from the new unit. This will provide 15% of the electrical power requirements at the cement plant. The 14,000-panel project is scheduled for completion in mid-2021.

Kenya: LafargeHolcim subsidiary Bamburi Cement has made a donation of personal protective equipment (PPE) worth US$46,800 to coronavirus rapid response teams and 11 health facilities in Kajiado, Kilifi, Kwale, Machakos and Mombasa Counties. The company said that the donations include “N95 masks, surgical gloves, coveralls, goggles, face shields and shoe covers.” This will constitute part of the US$140,000 donations promised by the company to “support the fight against the spread of Covid-19.”

Group managing director Seddiq Hassani said, "During the cheque handover to the Covid-19 Emergency Response Fund Board earlier this year, we committed to continued support to Covid-19 management efforts and therefore, with the escalating numbers of Covid-19 cases, today we fulfil our promise with this donation to our frontline healthcare workers who continue to serve with fortitude by ensuring that they remain safe while serving Kenyans. We value their priceless role in battling Coronavirus.” He added, “We care for the community and we are determined to be part of the solution to this pandemic and make a difference for the benefit of us all.”