Displaying items by tag: global

Global: Cumulative investment in carbon capture and storage (CCS) will reach US$80bn over the next five years, according to risk management company DNV’s new Energy Transition Outlook: CCS to 2050 report. DNV forecasts that CCS capacity will quadruple by 2030, driven initially by pilot projects in North America and Europe, but now seeing a sharp increase in capacity. As the technologies mature and scale, DNV expects that the average costs will drop by an average of 40% by 2050. The report also states that CCS will grow from 41Mt CO₂/yr captured and stored today to 1.3Bnt CO₂/yr in 2050.

CEO of energy systems at DNV Ditlev Engel said “Carbon capture and storage technologies are a necessity for ensuring that CO₂ emitted by fossil-fuel combustion is stopped from reaching the atmosphere and for keeping the goals of the Paris Agreement alive. DNV’s first Energy Transition Outlook: CCS to 2050 report clearly shows that we are at a turning point in the development of this crucial technology.”

Global: The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched the Low Carbon Ratings (LCR) system for cement and concrete, a new global rating based on products' carbon footprints. The system uses a clear AA to G scale to help customers prioritise sustainability in material selection across construction sectors worldwide.

The GCCA says that the LCR system is designed to be easily recognisable, with a simple visual graphic that indicates a product’s rating and provides consistency and comparability to other products. Countries will be able to adapt the system according to local standards.

Global: Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) has launched the Innovandi Open Challenge 2025, inviting start-ups to wok together with cement manufacturers around the world in developing low carbon concrete technologies.

The Open Challenge is looking for start-ups working on next generation materials for net zero concrete, including low-carbon admixtures, supplementary cementitious materials, activators or binders. The challenge aims to find ways to reduce clinker use and incorporate new materials to lower CO₂ emissions.

The programme follows three previous Open Challenges.

Chief executive Thomas Guillot said "Advanced production methods which are decarbonising our sector are already being used in cement and concrete production in many parts of the world. Through the Innovandi Open Challenge, start-ups can bring in even newer ideas and further accelerate our industry's push."

“If you are a start-up from anywhere in the world with an innovative idea or technology, then we want to hear from you."

Start-ups can find more information and apply to take part in the Innovandi Open Challenge by going to the GCCA Open Challenge 4 webpage: Innovandi Open Challenge 4 : GCCA

Global: The World Cement Association (WCA) projects a 22% decline in global cement demand by 2050. Price increases are expected to continue in European and North American markets, while significant market restructuring is already underway to address overcapacity in China and Japan. Multinational companies are scaling back cement business and focusing instead on North America, while cement production in Europe continues to decline due to strict CO₂ regulations and capacity reductions.

India's cement production has surpassed 200Mt/yr, with domestic firms strengthening their position as multinationals exit the market. Chinese producers are expanding their presence, particularly in Africa and Southeast Asia.

WCA president Wei Rushan said “To remain both profitable and environmentally responsible, the cement industry must aim to reduce capacity by 50%, from 4.7Bnt/yr to 2.3Bnt/yr within the next decade. This requires focusing on modern, sustainable production units.”

Global: The World Cement Association has released a white paper titled ‘Long-Term Forecast for Cement and Clinker Demand’, authored by CEO Ian Riley. The paper predicts a global decline in cement demand to 3Bnt/yr by 2050, with clinker demand dropping to 1.5Bnt/yr.

The report attributes the decline to decarbonisation, technological advancements and market dynamics, with the need for carbon capture and storage consequently reduced.

Ian Riley said “The cement industry is undergoing an unprecedented transformation. As we move towards a decarbonised future, understanding the true demand for cement and clinker is critical to ensuring that policies, technologies and investments align with reality. This white paper aims to provide industry leaders and policymakers with the clarity needed to plan effectively and sustainably.”

The analysis also explores disruptive factors such as alternative materials, supply chain optimisation and clinker-free technologies, presenting three scenarios to guide stakeholders in adapting to industry changes and fostering innovation.

Global: Lhyfe and Fives have signed a memorandum of understanding to provide a decarbonised solution for the cement industry, covering everything from hydrogen production to combustion. This initiative is designed to accelerate the energy transition by enabling the use of hydrogen in process industries without the need to modify existing equipment.

Lhyfe will produce and supply green hydrogen, while Fives will offer optimised and safe solutions for its use in industrial combustion processes, including cement production.

Global: Vattenfall and Cemvision have agreed to develop and supply low carbon cement, aiming to cut CO₂ emissions by 95% from traditional levels, according to Vattenfall. This agreement is underpinned by a letter of intent. The partnership utilises Cemvision’s technology, producing cement from recycled industrial materials and powered by renewable energy.

Cemvision CEO Oscar Hållén said "We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Vattenfall and to welcome them to our growing customer base. Already today in our demo production, we are reducing carbon emissions by 80%, and as we optimise processes and supply chain, we will reduce by up to 95% by 2030. Near-zero emission cement is the most efficient way to achieve significant climate benefits without increasing the overall cost of a construction project.”

Global: Heidelberg Materials has launched the sixth edition of the Quarry Life Award, encouraging global participation to develop sustainable quarry management solutions. Open to researchers, students, communities, non-government organisations (NGO) and nature enthusiasts, the competition offers a prize fund of around €300,000 and aligns with the company's commitment to the Global Goal for Nature. Partnering with organisations like BirdLife International, the initiative aims to enhance biodiversity at extraction sites. Since its inception in 2011, the Quarry Life Award has spurred over 450 projects aimed at biodiversity protection. The 2025 edition will see Heidelberg Materials open its quarries for selected projects, with Türkiye, Egypt, Kazakhstan and Indonesia joining as new participants.

Chief sustainability officer Nicola Kimm said "The Quarry Life Award is a key element of our biodiversity strategy, which relies on strong partnerships with stakeholders to engage across science, industry, and local communities. To truly move from biodiversity loss to gain, a concerted effort is needed by everyone, working together in the recovery of nature at a landscape scale."

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."

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.