Displaying items by tag: Emissions
Science-Based Targets Initiative validates Cementos Argos’ emissions reduction targets
06 January 2023Colombia: The Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) has validated Grupo Argos Subsidiary Cementos Argos’ CO2 emissions reduction goals. Cementos Argos aims to reduce its Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions in line with a well-below 2°C climate change scenario by 2030. Its strategy includes increasing co-processing of alternative fuel (AF), reducing its cement’s clinker factor, optimising its heat and electricity consumption, investing in cleaner technologies, increasing the share of renewable power it uses and diversifying its product range to include more low-carbon products.
Visaka Industries to build cement boards plant in West Midnapore
20 December 2022India: Visaka Industries plans to invest US$15.7m in the construction of a new cement boards plant in West Midnapore, West Bengal. United News of India has reported that the plant will produce the company's Vnext fibre cement board product. When commissioned in August 2023, it will increase Visaka Industries' Vnext boards production capacity to 72,000t/yr. The producer will equip the plant with an ATUM Solar Roof integrated solar power unit, eliminating 840,000t/yr of Scope 2 CO2 emissions. Visaka Industries plans to employ 500 people at the plant, and additionally support its host community in Shalbani Dakhinshole through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Cembureau welcomes EU CBAM agreement
19 December 2022Europe: Cembureau has welcomed a satisfactory conclusion to talks over the new Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) under the European Union (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). Negotiators from different EU institutions agreed to a gradual CBAM implementation, which will officially commence in October 2023. Free allocations of ETS credits to the EU cement sector and other industries will phase out between 2026 and 2034. During this transition period, CBAM duties will apply to imported products in proportion to EU production not covered by free allocation.
Cembureau's chief executive Koen Coppenholle said “The agreements on CBAM and ETS are essential to create a global level playing field on CO2 and support our sector in its transition to carbon neutrality. It is positive that the EU institutions strengthened some key aspects of CBAM. We however regret that the adopted texts do not provide a structural solution for exports. Some EU countries export up to 50% of their domestic cement production and these will be at risk should no concrete export solution be found before 2026.”
Coppenholle added “Looking ahead, we need to focus on CBAM implementation and its water-tightness, to ensure the mechanism fully equalises CO2 costs between EU and non-EU suppliers. It is also essential that policymakers support EU industries like cement, which are confronted with unsustainably high energy costs at a time some of our trading partners are launching massive subsidy programmes. CBAM, ETS and a strong innovation fund are essential parts of the puzzle, but we look forward to European Commission proposals for a truly ambitious industrial policy, as requested by the European Council in its meeting of 15 December 2022.”
Mexico: Cemex says that it has received validation from the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) for its 2050 Net Zero Roadmap. The roadmap sets out strategies, including carbon capture, for ‘aggressive CO2 reductions’ across Cemex’s entire value chain, in order to achieve carbon neutral cement production by 2050. The group’s current carbon capture projects portfolio has the potential to reduce its CO2 emissions by 3Mt/yr.
Cemex CEO Fernando González said “The construction industry is essential to the development and wellbeing of society, and its transition to carbon neutrality is achievable. The SBTi’s validation of our decarbonisation target attests to this, as well as the strength of our commitment.”
Votorantim Cimentos tightens CO2 reduction targets
05 December 2022Brazil: Votorantim Cimentos has revised its Scope 1 CO2 emissions reduction goal down to 475kg/t of cementitious product by 2030, from 520kg/t previously. The new target is 8.7% lower than the previous one, which it set in November 2020. Votorantim Cimentos previously reduced its emissions per tonne by 20% between 1990 and 2021. The group's targeted reduction from a 2018 base year now equates to 25%. The Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) validated the ambitious target on 1 December 2022.
Votorantim Cimentos expects to achieve its aim through increased alternative fuel (AF) co-processing, substitution of supplementary cementitious materials, improved efficiency and use of renewable power and the development of new technologies, including carbon capture.
The group's global sustainability, institutional relations, product development and engineering director Álvaro Lorenz said “The fight against the negative effects of climate change is at the heart of our strategy and reflects our focus on competitiveness and on creating a positive legacy. The most competitive businesses will be those with the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. After all, the environmental crisis is also an economic and social crisis. The validation of our new target by SBTi reinforces our commitment and continuous efforts toward the net-zero agenda.”
Peru: Cemento Gloria subsidiary Cemento Yura's Yura cement plant has allegedly been the source of intermittent dust emissions, water contamination and destructive vibrations during its 50 years of operation. In May 2022, local authorities declared four houses uninhabitable due to cracks in walls and roof collapses. Local people have attributed the damage to the vibrations from the Yura cement plant's activities. In November 2022, local water supply is unavailable for over 40 minutes every day, allegedly also due to the plant's operations.
The La República newspaper has reported that Yura residents have launched a protest against the alleged environmental mismanagement outside of the company's plant.
Ecocem launches ACT alternative materials cement product
29 November 2022Ireland: Ecocem has announced the launch of ACT, an alternative materials-based cement ingredient capable of reducing the CO2 emissions of cement production by 70%. The developer says that any existing cement plant can produce ACT at comparatively low cost. The technology is globally scalable, and Ecocem expects to achieve full commercial availability across its Benelux, France, Ireland and UK markets by 2025.
Ecocem managing director Donal O’Riain said “We are eager to work closely with the cement industry and with policymakers to support the scaling and development of a new generation of low-carbon cements. Current policy priorities on decarbonising cement have now been overtaken by technology. Fully effective deployment of ACT requires policymakers to provide effective support well beyond their traditional emphasis on CCUS as the core cement decarbonisation technology.”
Ecocem's investors include France-based building products company Saint-Gobain and US-based Breakthrough Energy Investments.
Hanson's Ribblesdale cement plant carbonates recycled concrete paste with CO2 emissions
22 November 2022UK: Hanson has announced a 'carbon capture breakthrough' in its use of recycled concrete paste (RCP) in the wet scrubber of its Ribblesdale cement plant in Lancashire. In under 30 minutes, 15t of RCP was able to capture 1.5t of CO2 from the plant's flue emissions. Carbonated RCP is suitable to replace limestone in cement production.
Hanson's sustainability director Marian Garfield said “The trial was carried out with our parent company Heidelberg Materials’ research and development team, and marks another important milestone in our carbon capture journey."
Cemex announces raft of carbon capture projects
22 November 2022Mexico: Cemex has announced a raft of new carbon capture projects in Europe and North America. When commissioned, they will bring its total installed CO2 capture capacity to over 3Mt/yr. The projects consist of three front-end engineering (FEED) studies to scale installations of Australia-based Leilac’s direct separation technology at Cemex cement plants in Germany, Poland and the US; a fourth FEED study for 95% capture installation at the Balcones, Texas, cement plant using RTI International's solvent capture technology and a development partnership for the cement industry's most comprehensive carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) studies at eight further cement plants in Europe, Mexico and the US.
Chief executive officer Fernando González said “CCUS brings together the essence of our strategic priorities: sustainability and innovation. Our Future in Action programme to achieve sustainable excellence and become a net-zero company is all about measurable, verified progress towards the most ambitious decarbonisation pathway in the industry. Although CCUS technologies are not ready to be scaled quite yet, it will take relentless work and innovation to ensure their viability in time to avoid the most damaging effects of climate change.”
Holcim US fined US$100,000 for alleged dust emissions
21 November 2022US: The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) has ordered Holcim US to pay a US$100,000 fine for alleged fugitive dust emissions from its Theodore cement plant in Mobile. Between February and August 2022, witnesses reported multiple dust plumes sighted above the plant, which is situated on the Theodore canal. AL.Com News has reported that, while neither admitting or denying the contentions, Holcim US said that it has taken actions affecting its raw materials unloading processes to ensure compliance.
Plant manager Clay Copeland said “We have worked closely with the ADEM to address concerns raised earlier this year."