New In-Depth Technology Review Supporting Cement Sector in Further Mitigating Its CO2 Emissions

Geneva, June 22, 2017 - The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)’s Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) published a report focusing on the availability of the latest technologies and the need to scale up research and development that can help the cement industry mitigate its greenhouse gas emissions.

In light of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Paris Agreement’s entry into force¹, the CSI initiated an in-depth review of its original technology papers, which were originally developed in 2009 when the sector issued the first ever low-carbon technology roadmap in partnership with the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The 2017 technology review published today² (www.wbcsdcement.org/technology) comprises 52 individual papers on well-known existing technologies (for which the latest development and implementation status is reviewed) and seven additional summary papers describing state-of-the-art and anticipated technological developments that can further enhance mitigation of CO₂ emissions in cement production³.  The report also includes an assessment of the level of possible implementation, the challenges and costs of these technologies in future scenarios for 2030 and 2050.

The European Cement Research Academy (ECRA)⁴ supported CSI with the review of these technology papers, drawing on its renowned expert knowledge of cement manufacturing and extensive experience with literature research of latest developments. In addition, a robust thorough stakeholder consultation process, involving experts from various cement companies, researchers and international organizations, has analyzed the outputs and ensured the analysis reflects the most up-to-date knowledge.

These new technology papers will be a major source of information for the global cement industry and beyond.  The papers have already been considered by the IEA’s modelling project: Energy Technology Perspective (ETP)⁵.  They will also serve as an important reference document for development of low-carbon technology roadmaps⁶ for the cement sector, at global as well as regional or national levels.  For instance, the CSI is currently working with IEA to update their joint global cement technology roadmap using these papers.  Beyond quantification of the potential of each technology in its support to mitigate CO₂ emissions from the sector, the roadmap will also identify the major opportunities, barriers and measures facing the industry, as well as financial partners and policy makers. 

Philippe Fonta, Managing Director of the CSI shared that “The publication of these revised and new technical papers sets robust foundations for the overall exercise of updating our 2009 roadmap.  It is also a major step in the implementation of commitments made by the cement sector in Paris through the Cement Low Carbon Technology Partnerships initiative (LCTPi) and it demonstrates that the business is more than ever focused on supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement.”

The CSI and IEA plan to share the initial results of the updated global technology roadmap for the cement sector at COP 23 in Bonn, Germany.

Note 1: unfccc.int/paris_agreement/items/9485.php

Note 2: European Cement Research Academy; Cement Sustainability Initiative, Ed. Development of State of the Art-Techniques in Cement Manufacturing: Trying to Look Ahead; CSI/ECRA-Technology Papers 2017. Duesseldorf, Geneva, 2017 Available at: www.wbcsdcement.org.

Note 3: Key technological fields covered in these papers are: thermal energy efficiency, electric energy efficiency, use of alternative fuels, materials and biomass, reduction of the clinker content in cement, new binding materials, CO₂ capture and storage (CCS), and CO₂ use (CCU). 

Note 4: ecra-online.org

Note 5: www.iea.org/etp

Note 6: The CSI’s original Global Cement Technology Roadmap (2009) outlines existing and potential technologies, and how they may help the industry support a halving of global CO₂ emissions across all areas of business and society.  It aims to help policy-makers and financial institutions work with the cement industry to adapt for a carbon-constrained world.

Note 7: Update of the CSI ECRA Technology Papers 2017 on CO₂ emission reduction and energy efficiency in cement plants

Note 8: Testing of innovative technologies for CO₂ abatement and energy efficiency in the cement sector.  Example from an on-site pilot experiment during the EU research project CEMCAP.

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About the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)
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About the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI)
The Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) is a global effort by 23 leading cement producers, with operations in more than 100 countries. Collectively these companies account for around 30% of the world’s cement production and range in size from very large multinationals to smaller local producers. All CSI members have integrated sustainable development into their business strategies and operations, as they seek strong financial performance with an equally strong commitment to social and environmental responsibility. The CSI is an initiative of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). http://www.wbcsdcement.org