In a world increasingly conscious of its carbon footprint, the cement industry, often perceived as one of the ‘hard-to-abate’ industries, is making strides towards a sustainable future. As CEMBUREAU, the European Cement Association, we have been at the forefront of this transformation through our 2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap.
We are now launching our podcast series 'Cementing Europe's Future', to discuss the progress made and the importance of EU policy.
As the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned, "the first carbon-neutral cement factories are only a few years away." This is not just a vision but a tangible reality unfolding through our concerted efforts, as shown by our interactive map of innovation projects.
These projects are pivotal in moving towards our 2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap goals, encompassing the full value chain - from clinker production to (re)carbonation.
CBAM: A crucial step towards fair competition
Decarbonisation comes with substantial investments and these need to be made in a competitive level playing field with third countries. This is where the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) comes into play. Starting in October 2023, CBAM will begin a transitional phase, requiring importers to report emissions without financial obligations.
From 2026, the phased implementation of CBAM will commence, ensuring equal CO2 costs for EU and non-EU suppliers. Our industry advocates for a robust system with watertight controls that prevent fraud and circumvention.
Net Zero Industry Act and decarbonising cement production
The Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA) is another crucial initiative, particularly in promoting Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) technologies.
Given that 60%-65% of cement manufacturing’s CO2 emissions are unavoidable, emerging from limestone calcination, CCUS is vital.
The EU’s objective of establishing a 50-million-ton CO2 injection capacity by 2030 will significantly bolster the 38 carbon capture projects currently in development across European cement plants.
Advancing the circular economy through co-processing
Our industry is all about circular economy, from cement production up until concrete recycling.
Already today, 53% of our fuels are sourced from a variety of waste streams whereby waste is used to simultaneously recover energy and recycle the mineral content, which is known as co-processing.
This allows both to reduce our CO2 emissions and Europe’s reliance on fossil fuels.
The use of waste as a resource in the European cement industry began over 30 years ago, in 1990. Since then, co-processing rates have been steadily increasing every year, reaching 53% in the EU-27 in 2021. Several cement plants operate at even higher rates (90-100%), and the trend suggests more cement plants will achieve this level.
The cement industry also develops projects that put carbon in a circular loop through use of captured CO2 from unavoidable process emissions.
The cement industry can be a key supplier of CO2 needed in a variety of industrial applications, allowing to support the decarbonisation of other sectors like aviation.
By aligning with key EU policies like CBAM and the NZIA, and delivering on decarbonisation investments and circular economy, the EU cement industry is not just adapting to a changing environmental landscape, we are actively shaping it. Our roadmap to 2050 is filled with challenges, but also with opportunities to redefine our industry and contribute to a sustainable world.
As we navigate these transformative times, we invite you to join the conversation and contribute to shaping a sustainable path forward. Stay connected with our journey and engage with us through our podcast series and on LinkedIn, where we continuously share insights, progress, and innovative strides towards a greener future. Your participation and perspectives are invaluable in this collective effort to redefine the cement industry.
Promoted by CEMBUREAU (the European Cement Association)
