Climate Change,

Cement and the EU

THE EUROPEAN CEMENT INDUSTRY

CONTRIBUTION TO EMISSION

CO2
REDUCTION

CHOOSING
THE BEST
POLICIES
FOR EUROPE

POSITIVE ACTION BY
CEMBUREAU MEMBERS

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 What is CEMBUREAU?

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 dissemination
of technical data, statistics and general information on the cement industry world-wide. Its publications
serve as the principal source of information on the cement industry throughout the world. It is the
editor of the “World Cement Directory” providing data on cement companies and works based in
some 150 countries.

Association
Européenne
du Ciment
The European
Cement
Association

Rue d’Arlon 55 - B-1040 Brussels — Tel.: + 32 2 234 10 11 - Fax: + 32 2 230 47 20

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

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 Climate Change: A Message from
Europe’s Cement Industry

Europe’s cement industry will continue to play a strong part in the global effort to
fight climate change. We have already contributed substantially by reducing energy
consumption.

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 has
set the agenda for global CO2 emission reductions. The European Union has agreed
how its Member States will share the burden. Industry and government must now
truly co-operate in finding practical solutions which meet these obligations. This
dialogue must begin now. We are ready to be involved.

To date, technical ways to enhance energy efficiency in Europe’s cement

industry have been exploited with great success. Not only has this reduced CO2
emissions dramatically—it has also cut energy costs. This dual motivation has
already brought us close to the limit of what can be achieved through energy
efficiency improvements.

The future lies in innovative solutions.

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

Flexible approaches—such as those involving dissemination of cleaner

technologies and emission trading—offer scope for our industry to continue its
contribution 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 own
policy 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 a
sustainable equilibrium between economic considerations, societal needs and
environmental protection.

Please read on for more details.

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 Cement Production
How is cement made?
Cement is made by heating limestone
(and some other ingredients) to
1450° C in a kiln. The resulting
“clinker” is then ground with a small
amount of gypsum into a powder—
Portland cement. Some types of
cement also include other constituents
such as limestone and by-products
from other industrial processes
(granulated blast furnace slag and
fly ash from power stations for
instance).
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Where have CO2 emissions been
reduced?
CO2 emissions are reduced by
minimising the energy needed for
clinker formation in the kiln, for
grinding and for other process
operations. The European cement
industry has pioneered efforts to
reduce emissions through improved
technical performance with
spectacular results. Turn to pages
4 & 5 to find out what has been
achieved and how we have done it.
and CO2 Emissions

Cement is a vital component of the

construction industry.
Modern society cannot develop
without it.
Making allowances for process CO2
Apart from the emissions associated with the energy used for
clinker burning, grinding and other operations, there is natural
release of CO2 associated with decarbonation of raw materials.
Allowances for such process CO2 emissions must be made in
setting 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 resulting
emissions of greenhouse gases. Waste used as fuel can be considered CO2 neutral.
Therefore, some governments have already credited the cement industry for the
equivalent 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 limit

But we are ready to do more through WASTE
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Industry contributed so far?

¨ Since the ‘70s, the energy required to produce cement

clinker has fallen by about 30% in Europe
Increased Energy Efficiency = Lower CO2 Emissions
The record in France mirrors the challenge all over Europe
MJ/t
of clinker

4 900
4 700
4 500
4 300
4 100
3 900
3 700
3 500
3 300

1968 70 75 80 85 90 95
The curve is flattening as we reach the limit of available technical means…

Emission reductions have been made not only in response to requirements but
notably through Voluntary Agreements, for example the following
commitments to:
¨ Reduce fossil fuel CO2 emissions by 25% in France between 1990 and 2000 and the CO2
emissions 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 1987
production levels);
¨ Reduce the energy efficiency index by 21% in The Netherlands between 1989 and 2000.

of what can be achieved by technical means.

“VALORISATION” + INNOVATIVE, FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS…
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 Positive Ways
the 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 eliminates
waste 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”.

Use of Alternative Fuels (“waste”) reduces the societal emission

burden and conserves fossil fuels

CO2 CO2 CO2

SO2 SO2 SO2
NOx NOx NOx

+
+
Waste Fossil Fuels Waste Fossil Fuels
(Coal, Fuel Oil, used (Coal,
Natural Gas) as Fuel Oil,
Alternative Natural Gas)
Fuels

INCINERATION
PLANT
+ CEMENT
PLANT
CO-COMBUSTION
IN CEMENT PLANT

Innovative, flexible solutions¾the way forward.

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in which
continue to contribute
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 cement
industry to improve emission reduction performance in flexible ways.

4. Increased TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER

European cement production techniques are amongst the most energy efficient in
the world. Implementing modern cement production technologies where they are
not yet in use will reduce global emissions. Investments in technology transfer
can be encouraged by offering corresponding emission credits to investing
companies. The Kyoto Protocol supports this.

The European cement industry is interested in the flexible mechanisms for clean
technology transfer mentioned in the Kyoto Protocol either through “Joint
Implementation” between companies in industrialised countries or “Clean
Development Mechanisms” involving partnership between companies in
industrialised and developing countries.

5. Participation in a system of EMISSION TRADING

The Kyoto Protocol agrees that countries emitting less than their allowance
should be able to sell the remaining “capacity” to a country that might otherwise
exceed its limit. This means that those most able to reduce emissions are
motivated to go further than strictly required by their commitments.

Europe’s cement industry ready to co-operate!

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 We seek your support…

Europe’s cement industry will continue to play a strong

part in the global effort to fight climate change, continuing
a process it started some years ago.

To be able to maintain the impetus, Europe’s cement

industry believes that innovative solutions will provide the
kind of flexibility which will allow us to play a full role.
We seek the support of Europe’s policy-makers in
encouraging more voluntary agreements and promoting
early emission credits for use of alternative fuels and
technology transfer.

But the challenge of agreeing upon these is complex. And

we have no time to make mistakes if —together— we are
to achieve our goals and meet international obligations.

This is why it is vital that the institutions of the European

Union embark upon a real dialogue with Europe’s cement
industry (and other sectors) as a matter of urgency.
Cosmetic discussions at the last moment are no substitute
for full co-operation now.

Time is running out if the EU is to bring effective

proposals and real answers to the next Conference of the
Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change to
be 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 participate

actively in the dialogue and to continue to take a
responsible attitude towards Europe’s common
commitments.

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  Copyright: CEMBUREAU
N° Editeur: D/1998/5457/July

All rights reserved. No part of this publication

may 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 written
permission of the publisher.

Published by CEMBUREAU
The European Cement Association

Rue d’Arlon 55 - B-1040 Brussels

Tel.: + 32 2 234 10 11
Fax: + 32 2 230 47 20
E-mail: secretariat@cembureau.be
Internet: http//www.cembureau.be

Concept Bates Europe, Brussels

Layout by CEMBUREAU

Printing by
Weissenbruch s.a.
Since in 1775

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 Climate Change,
Cement and the EU
Positive Action by
the European Cement Industry
The whole world faces the challenge of fighting climate change. The European
Union must choose sensible, workable policies to play its part in the process.

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

The December 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the UN Framework Convention on

Climate Change has set targets for world emission reductions.

The EU—through its Council of Ministers—agreed on the sharing of emission

reduction obligations among its Member States in June 1998. Now we must
decide how to achieve this in practice.

The European cement industry’s ability to go on effectively depends on choices

made by policy-makers and legislators as they identify the means for meeting
these commitments.

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

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

For more detailed information, please contact CEMBUREAU.

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