InterCement takes the spotlight in the release of a technological roadmap for the Cement Industry
The document shows goals to reduce carbon trails up to 35%, split in two stages in 2030 and 2050.
In April, the Brazilian Union of the Cement Industry (Sindicato Nacional da Indústria do Cimento, SNIC) released Roadmap Brazil, a technological map of cement showing the main guidelines and actions to reduce polluting gas emissions in the Brazilian cement industry. During the event in question, InterCement’s director of Innovation R&D and Quality, Carlos Massucato, was present as lecturer and was also one of the professionals who contributed towards the document’s development.
The document shows goals to reduce carbon trace emissions up to 35% in two stages: the first in 2030, and the second until 2050. Massucato explains that “it’s worth noting that the Brazilian cement industry has one of the lowest rates of carbon gas emission in the world per produced ton. We want to continue leading this process in the future. Emissions in Brazil are 50% lower than the global average”.
According to data from participating entities, while cement production increased 273% between 1990 and 2014 (from 26 to 71 million tons), the carbon emission curve increased 223% in this same time frame, with a reduction of 18% of specific emissions (from 700 to 564 kg of CO2/t of cement). The project itself considers the possibility of the industry to reach numbers around 375 kg CO2 /t of cement until 2050, representing a 33% reduction compared to present values.
CO2 reduction projects
Currently, InterCement’s main process to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere is co-processing, a procedure that involves using biomass to warm up the factory boilers, replacing chemical products. In addition, InterCement uses biofixation on microalgae, which uses photosynthesis and cultivation processes with bioreactors to remove CO2 from the environment.
Aside from these two procedures, InterCement also developed LEAP (low emission advanced performance) in a partnership with the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo (USP-SP). LEAP is considered a green cement whose concept is to reduce the amount of binders, the demand of water in concrete, while reaching optimal performance at the same time.
Tests showed that LEAP is efficient in reducing up to 32% of the gas emissions responsible for the greenhouse effect, which is also being used in small-scale tests for finished products.
Release event
The release event took place in Brasilia, in the Brazilian Industry Confederation (Confederação Nacional da Indústria, CNI) on April 3rd, with 135 guests, as well as the participation of several executive and legislative authorities, cement industry executives and both Brazilian and foreign specialists.
Among the main participants were: Ricardo Salles, Minister of Environment, Alexandre Vidigal, Secretary of Geology, Mining and Mineral Transformation of the Ministry of Mining and Energy (MME), Ricardo Cyrino, Secretary of Electric Energy of the Ministry of Mining and Energy (MME), Federal Congressman Arnaldo Jardim (PPS), Coordinator of the Green Economy Parliament Representation, and Federal Congressman Enrico Misasi (PV) – President of the Parliament Representation of Sanitation.
Back