IEA examines emissions reduction in the cement industry

The implementation of carbon capture and storage technology (CCS) on a large scale could help the cement sector reduce its emissions by 18% by 2050 compared with current levels, estimates the International Energy Agency (IEA). Between 20 to 33% of existing kilns will be replaced by new ones before 2020, says the agency, and there is potential for between 40 to 45% of these to be equipped with CCS between 2030 and 2050. IEA stresses, however, that CCS technology will only be possible if the risk of carbon leakage is effectively addressed.

These findings are contained in the first industry-specific roadmap from IEA, which examines emissions reductions in the cement industry. The roadmap calls for strong national policies to activate known CO₂ mitigation actions and the development of commercially-viable CCS technologies as a method for further reducing global CO₂ emissions from the cement industry. The cement industry has already made significant progress in reducing CO₂ emissions through the use of alternative fuels, improved energy efficiency and clinker substitution. The report acknowledges that, although cement production accounts for around 5% of global man-made CO₂ emissions, there is no viable substitute and reduction in demand is not a realistic option in view of the world’s continued population growth and increasing rate of urbanisation.

On 3 December 2009, the International Energy Agency and WBCSDⁱ held an event in the European Parliament to launch the roadmaps on carbon capture and storage and the cement sector. This event was sponsored by MEP Chris Davies (UK, Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe), and was supported by CEMBUREAU.

The full roadmap can be found here:

www.wbcsdcement.org/technology

The European Cement research Academy (ecra) based in Duesseldorf is currently conducting research on CCS in the cement industry. CEMBUREAU fully supports this project.