Commentary
A policy framework for accelerating sustainable energy transitions in heavy industry
Cement
Reducing CO2 emissions while producing enough cement to meet demand is a global challenge, especially since demand growth is expected to resume.
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Key strategies to cut carbon emissions in cement production include improving energy efficiency, switching to lower-carbon fuels, reducing the clinker-to-cement ratio and advancing process and technology innovations.
Globally, the energy intensities of thermal energy and electricity have continued to gradually decline as dry-process kilns replace wet-process kilns, and as more efficient grinding equipment is deployed. Fossil fuels continue to provide the majority of energy in the cement sector, with alternative fuels such as biomass and waste accounting for very small portions.
Clinker is the main ingredient in cement, and the amount used is directly proportional to the CO2 emissions generated in cement manufacturing, due to both the combustion of fuels and the decomposition of limestone in the clinker production process. Use of blended cements and clinker substitutes can help reduce the clinker to cement ratio, and thus emissions.
CCUS will be crucial to reduce cement sector CO2 emissions, particularly the process emissions released during limestone calcination. While current commercial deployment of CCUS is limited, there have been a number of innovation efforts underway in recent years.
Without considerable efforts to reduce demand, annual cement production is expected to grow moderately in the coming decades. Production is likely to decline in China in the long term, but increases are anticipated in India, other developing Asian countries and Africa as these regions develop their infrastructure.
Adopting material efficiency strategies to optimise the use of cement would help reduce demand along the entire construction value chain, helping to cut CO2 emissions from cement production.
Lower cement demand can be achieved through actions such as optimising the use of cement in concrete mixes, using concrete more efficiently, minimising waste in construction, and maximising the design life of buildings and infrastructure. Material efficiency efforts have gained increasing support in recent years.
Globally, the energy intensities of thermal energy and electricity have continued to gradually decline as dry-process kilns replace wet-process kilns, and as more efficient grinding equipment is deployed. Fossil fuels continue to provide the majority of energy in the cement sector, with alternative fuels such as biomass and waste accounting for very small portions.
Clinker is the main ingredient in cement, and the amount used is directly proportional to the CO2 emissions generated in cement manufacturing, due to both the combustion of fuels and the decomposition of limestone in the clinker production process. Use of blended cements and clinker substitutes can help reduce the clinker to cement ratio, and thus emissions.
CCUS will be crucial to reduce cement sector CO2 emissions, particularly the process emissions released during limestone calcination. While current commercial deployment of CCUS is limited, there have been a number of innovation efforts underway in recent years.
Without considerable efforts to reduce demand, annual cement production is expected to grow moderately in the coming decades. Production is likely to decline in China in the long term, but increases are anticipated in India, other developing Asian countries and Africa as these regions develop their infrastructure.
Adopting material efficiency strategies to optimise the use of cement would help reduce demand along the entire construction value chain, helping to cut CO2 emissions from cement production.
Lower cement demand can be achieved through actions such as optimising the use of cement in concrete mixes, using concrete more efficiently, minimising waste in construction, and maximising the design life of buildings and infrastructure. Material efficiency efforts have gained increasing support in recent years.
Last updated Aug 27, 2020
Key findings
Direct CO2 intensity of cement in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2014-2030
OpenMore efforts are needed to reduce the direct CO2 intensity of cement production
The direct CO2 intensity of cement production increased 0.5% per year during 2014-18. To get on track with the SDS, a 0.8% annual decline is necessary to 2030. Sharper focus is needed in two key areas: reducing the clinker-to-cement ratio (including through greater uptake of blended cements) and deploying innovative technologies (including CCUS). Governments can stimulate investment and innovation in these areas through funding RD&D and adopting mandatory CO2 emissions reduction policies.
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The IETS TCP focuses on energy use in a broad range of industry sectors with significant potential for emissions and cost savings. The IETS TCP work programme ranges from aspects relating to development of processes and energy technologies, to overall system analysis and energy efficiency in industry sectors.
