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Climate Change,Cement and the EU

CO2

THE EUROPEAN CEMENT INDUSTRY

CONTRIBUTION TO EMISSION

REDUCTION

POSITIVE ACTION BY

CEMBUREAU MEMBERS

CHOOSING

THE BEST

POLICIES

FOR EUROPE

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CEMBUREAU - the European Cement Association, based in Brussels, is the representative

organisation for the cement industry in Europe. Its Full Members are the national cement industry

associations and cement companies of the European Union and the European Economic Area countries

plus Switzerland and Turkey. Associate Members include the national cement associations of the

Czech and Slovak Republics, Hungary, Poland and Estonia.

The Association acts as spokesman for the cement sector towards the European Union institutions

and other authorities, and communicates the industry�s views on all issues and policy developments

likely to have an effect on the cement market in the technical, environmental, energy and promotion

areas. Permanent dialogue is maintained with the European and international authorities and with

other International Associations as appropriate.

Serviced by a multi-national staff in Brussels, Standing Committees and issue-related Project Groups,

established as required, enable CEMBUREAU to keep abreast of all developments affecting the

cement industry.

CEMBUREAU also plays a significant role in the world-wide promotion of cement and concrete in

co-operation with member associations, and the ready-mix and precast concrete industries. The

Association regularly co-hosts conferences on specific issues aimed at improving the image of

concrete and promoting the use of cement and concrete products.

Since its foundation in 1947, CEMBUREAU has developed into the major centre for the disseminationof technical data, statistics and general information on the cement industry world-wide. Its publicationsserve as the principal source of information on the cement industry throughout the world. It is theeditor of the �World Cement Directory� providing data on cement companies and works based insome 150 countries.

Rue d�Arlon 55 - B-1040 Brussels � Tel.: + 32 2 234 10 11 - Fax: + 32 2 230 47 20E-mail: secretariat@cembureau.be � http://www.cembureau.be

AssociationEuropéennedu CimentThe EuropeanCementAssociation

What is CEMBUREAU?

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Climate Change: A Message fromEurope�s Cement Industry

Europe�s cement industry will continue to play a strong part in the global effort tofight climate change. We have already contributed substantially by reducing energyconsumption.

Much has been achieved. And we can go further. This publication shows how.

The �Kyoto Protocol� to the UN�s Framework Convention on Climate Change hasset the agenda for global CO2 emission reductions. The European Union has agreedhow its Member States will share the burden. Industry and government must nowtruly co-operate in finding practical solutions which meet these obligations. Thisdialogue must begin now. We are ready to be involved.

To date, technical ways to enhance energy efficiency in Europe�s cementindustry have been exploited with great success. Not only has this reduced CO2emissions dramatically�it has also cut energy costs. This dual motivation hasalready brought us close to the limit of what can be achieved through energyefficiency improvements.

The future lies in innovative solutions.

There is enormous environmental value and potential for CO2 cuts in using certainwastes as alternative fuels and materials in the cement-making process. Thisalso reduces use of fossil fuels and is a vital waste management route.

Flexible approaches�such as those involving dissemination of cleanertechnologies and emission trading�offer scope for our industry to continue itscontribution to the global effort. As does further use of voluntary agreements.The flexible instruments are recognised in the Kyoto Protocol and in the EU�s ownpolicy declarations. Let�s make use of them!

We wish to be part of the process of identifying innovative ways to move forward.The European cement industry is prepared to work hard to bring about asustainable equilibrium between economic considerations, societal needs andenvironmental protection.

Please read on for more details.

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How is cement made?

Cement is made by heating limestone(and some other ingredients) to1450° C in a kiln. The resulting�clinker� is then ground with a smallamount of gypsum into a powder�

Portland cement. Some types ofcement also include other constituentssuch as limestone and by-productsfrom other industrial processes(granulated blast furnace slag andfly ash from power stations forinstance).

Where have CO2 emissions beenreduced?

CO2 emissions are reduced byminimising the energy needed forclinker formation in the kiln, forgrinding and for other processoperations. The European cementindustry has pioneered efforts toreduce emissions through improvedtechnical performance withspectacular results. Turn to pages4 & 5 to find out what has beenachieved and how we have done it.

Cement Production

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and CO2 Emissions

Cement is a vital component of theconstruction industry.

Modern society cannot developwithout it.

Making allowances for process CO2

Apart from the emissions associated with the energy used forclinker burning, grinding and other operations, there is naturalrelease of CO2 associated with decarbonation of raw materials.Allowances for such process CO2 emissions must be made insetting targets for the cement sector as they are unavoidable.

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How has the European Cement

Europe�s cement industry has substantially improved energy efficiency and thus reduced CO2

emissions. But we are close to the limit of what can be achieved through technical means.This is how we have done it:

By improving manufacturing processes�♦ Enhancing the energy efficiency of cement kilns.♦ Process conversion away from less energy efficient processes to dry and

semi-dry processes.♦ Modernising plant and machinery to reduce electricity consumption with consequent

reduction of CO2 emissions from power plants.

By concentrating more production in the most efficient plants�

By �valorising� wastes in the production process�♦ Using certain wastes productively as alternative fuels in the cement kiln �valorises�

and eliminates wastes that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled with resultingemissions of greenhouse gases. Waste used as fuel can be considered CO2 neutral.Therefore, some governments have already credited the cement industry for theequivalent CO2 emissions.

♦ Using other wastes as raw materials for cement clinker production.

By optimising the composition of cement�♦ Using blast furnace slag, power station fly ash, natural pozzolana or limestone as a

constituent of the final cement reduces the clinker required per tonne of cement.This means lower CO2 emissions.

By improved products�♦ Increased strength performance has led to more efficient use of cement.

Europe�s cement industry is close to the limitBut we are ready to do more through WASTE

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Industry contributed so far?

of what can be achieved by technical means.�VALORISATION� + INNOVATIVE, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS�

Emission reductions have been made not only in response to requirements butnotably through Voluntary Agreements, for example the followingcommitments to:

¨ Reduce fossil fuel CO2 emissions by 25% in France between 1990 and 2000 and the CO2emissions per tonne of cement by 10%;

¨ Reduce specific fuel energy consumption by 20% in Germany between 1987 and 2005(equivalent to CO2 reductions of 3 million tonnes/year by 2005 based on 1987production levels);

¨ Reduce the energy efficiency index by 21% in The Netherlands between 1989 and 2000.

Increased Energy Efficiency = Lower CO2 EmissionsThe record in France mirrors the challenge all over Europe

The curve is flattening as we reach the limit of available technical means�

MJ/tof clinker

4 900

3 300

3 700

3 500

3 9004 100

4 3004 500

4 700

1968 70 75 80 85 90 95

¨ Since the �70s, the energy required to produce cementclinker has fallen by about 30% in Europe

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+

CO2SO2NOx

CO2SO2NOx

CO2SO2NOx

Waste Fossil Fuels(Coal, Fuel Oil,

Natural Gas)

Wasteused

asAlternative

Fuels

Fossil Fuels(Coal,

Fuel Oil,Natural Gas)

INCINERATIONPLANT

CEMENTPLANT

CO-COMBUSTIONIN CEMENT PLANT

+

Positive Waysthe Cement Industry can

1. Greater use of ALTERNATIVE FUELS

A Genuine �Win-Win-Win� Scenario:¨ CO2 Emissions Cut.¨ Society�s Waste Problem Reduced.¨ Energy Resources Conserved.

Some waste can substitute for fossil fuels in the cement process. This �valorises� and eliminateswaste that would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled with resulting CO2 emissions. In return,the cement industry should be entitled to equivalent emission credits.

¨ The energy content of waste is recovered with higher efficiency than through incineration.

¨ All remaining solids of the waste are used as raw materials in the cement itself�no landfilling of ash or slag is needed.

¨ Emissions from cement kilns remain essentially unchanged when waste is being �valorised�.

Innovative, flexible solutions¾the way forward.

Use of Alternative Fuels (�waste�) reduces the societal emissionburden and conserves fossil fuels

+

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in whichcontinue to contribute

Europe�s cement industry ready to co-operate!

2. Greater use of OTHER CEMENT CONSTITUENTS

Use of industrial by-products or natural materials in cement reduces energy-related CO2 emissions and also process CO2 emissions per tonne of cement.

3. Greater use of VOLUNTARY AGREEMENTS

Existing voluntary agreements have been effective in motivating the cementindustry to improve emission reduction performance in flexible ways.

4. Increased TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

European cement production techniques are amongst the most energy efficient inthe world. Implementing modern cement production technologies where they arenot yet in use will reduce global emissions. Investments in technology transfercan be encouraged by offering corresponding emission credits to investingcompanies. The Kyoto Protocol supports this.

The European cement industry is interested in the flexible mechanisms for cleantechnology transfer mentioned in the Kyoto Protocol either through �JointImplementation� between companies in industrialised countries or �CleanDevelopment Mechanisms� involving partnership between companies inindustrialised and developing countries.

5. Participation in a system of EMISSION TRADING

The Kyoto Protocol agrees that countries emitting less than their allowanceshould be able to sell the remaining �capacity� to a country that might otherwiseexceed its limit. This means that those most able to reduce emissions aremotivated to go further than strictly required by their commitments.

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Europe�s cement industry will continue to play a strongpart in the global effort to fight climate change, continuinga process it started some years ago.

To be able to maintain the impetus, Europe�s cementindustry believes that innovative solutions will provide thekind of flexibility which will allow us to play a full role.We seek the support of Europe�s policy-makers inencouraging more voluntary agreements and promotingearly emission credits for use of alternative fuels andtechnology transfer.

But the challenge of agreeing upon these is complex. Andwe have no time to make mistakes if �together� we areto achieve our goals and meet international obligations.

This is why it is vital that the institutions of the EuropeanUnion embark upon a real dialogue with Europe�s cementindustry (and other sectors) as a matter of urgency.Cosmetic discussions at the last moment are no substitutefor full co-operation now.

Time is running out if the EU is to bring effectiveproposals and real answers to the next Conference of theParties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change tobe held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in November 1998.

It is vital that we take the right decisions now.

CEMBUREAU and its Members stand ready to participateactively in the dialogue and to continue to take aresponsible attitude towards Europe�s commoncommitments.

We seek your support�

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Copyright: CEMBUREAUN° Editeur: D/1998/5457/July

All rights reserved. No part of this publicationmay be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system

or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording or otherwise, without the prior writtenpermission of the publisher.

Published by CEMBUREAU The European Cement Association

Rue d�Arlon 55 - B-1040 BrusselsTel.: + 32 2 234 10 11Fax: + 32 2 230 47 20

E-mail: secretariat@cembureau.beInternet: http//www.cembureau.be

Concept Bates Europe, Brussels

Layout by CEMBUREAU

Printing byWeissenbruch s.a.

Since in 1775

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Positive Action bythe European Cement Industry

The whole world faces the challenge of fighting climate change. The EuropeanUnion must choose sensible, workable policies to play its part in the process.

The cement industry in Europe recognised its role some years ago and hasalready made a substantial contribution. This publication briefly explains whatthe industry has achieved and how it would like to contribute further.

The December 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention onClimate Change has set targets for world emission reductions.

The EU�through its Council of Ministers�agreed on the sharing of emissionreduction obligations among its Member States in June 1998. Now we mustdecide how to achieve this in practice.

The European cement industry�s ability to go on effectively depends on choicesmade by policy-makers and legislators as they identify the means for meetingthese commitments.

From the outset, the cement industry must be part of the process of setting thepolicies for its sector. It would welcome the chance to co-operate. And we wantto start now.

This publication suggests positive ways in which the cement industry cancontinue to play its part.

For more detailed information, please contact CEMBUREAU.

Climate Change,Cement and the EU