BRIEF | CEMENTING THE FUTURE
Cement is our most consumed product after drinking water. But it’s also a major contributor to global CO2 emissions. Because most of emissions result from the calcination process, reaching 2050 goals presents its own challenges, particularly given the timelines associated with new technologies needed to decarbonise cement. A 2020 report by McKinsey and Company, predicted: emissions could be reduced by 75 per cent by
“CO2
2050. However, only around 20 per cent will come from operational advances, while the remainder will need to come from technological innovation and new growth horizons. Operational advances, such as
printing of titanium parts – and the shift towards sustainable manufacturing and lighter components. The additive process results in far less material waste comparing to other subtractive techniques, while raising the bar on design freedom through the availability of more extensive topology optimisation. Cement, however, presents different challenges, such as those highlighted by HeidelbergCement when it released its 2020 Sustainability Report in June. It revealed that, for the first time, the company had aligned itself to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures for reporting climate-related financial information. The group is also now basing its remuneration systems on performance and results in terms of sustainable cement production. Its “Beyond 2020” strategy set specific net CO2
emissions
below 525kg/t of cementitious material produced, 30 per cent down on 1990 levels. By 2030 the company has a target of below 500kg of CO2
/t of cementitious material
energy-efficiency measures, have already largely been implemented, and the emissions-reduction potential from alternative fuels and clinker substitution is limited by the decreasing availability of input materials. More innovative approaches, such as new technologies and alternative building materials, will be indispensable.”
and carbon neutrality by 2050. The company achieved CO2 reductions of 23 per cent of the 1990 levels last year. The industry portal,
Cemnet.com predicted that other companies will follow HeidelbergCement’s lead, in linking pay to sustainability, especially as other groups seek to respond to demands from investors and other stakeholders on their environmental commitments. Meanwhile, the company’s diverse range of CO2
reduction
projects are predicted to start achieving beneficial results in the next few years. But there is another way of reducing the carbon footprint, as evidenced on a new stretch of motorway being built in La Font de la Figuera near Valencia. The Spanish conglomerate Acciona S.A. is using paper ash to replace the cement that would normally be used to guarantee durability.
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