The CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition 2023, held in Lyon, France, from October 26th to 27th, marked a pivotal moment in the global pursuit of decarbonization and innovation. This event brought together key decision-makers, industry leaders, environmental specialists, and innovators from across the globe, underscoring the power of collective action and the critical role of innovation in addressing the urgent challenge of climate change.
Industry Link, a company known for its impactful online presence and extensive network of industry professionals, has a track record of organizing events focused on alternative fuels and raw materials in the cement and construction industry. The Carbon Zero Global Conference and Exhibition 2023 was no exception, showcasing innovative solutions and strategies designed to reduce CO2 emissions and promote a more sustainable future.
Decarbonization Pathways and Opportunities
The conference commenced with a keynote address by David Carlin, representing UNEP-FI. His speech revolved around the promising business opportunities emerging from decarbonization pathways. Carlin underscored that as global efforts to combat carbon emissions intensify, new markets are emerging, offering substantial economic growth and fertile ground for innovation. Such innovation is essential for businesses aiming to capitalize on these opportunities in a world transitioning towards decarbonization.
Samira Boussetta, an Independent Consultant, followed with a discussion on the role of public procurement in fostering innovation within the construction sector’s decarbonization. She stressed the significant impact public procurement can have in encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices and technologies in construction. By leveraging public procurement as a catalyst for innovation, governments can steer the transition towards a more sustainable construction sector.
Fazle Azim, Group Chairman of Peakward Enterprises Hong Kong, took the stage to discuss the pivotal role of Indonesian natural Pozzolana in the decarbonization roadmap. He highlighted how natural Pozzolana can serve as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) in the cement industry, reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and enhancing cement product
performance. This underscores how innovative materials and technologies can contribute to decarbonization.
Dario Joschko, a representative from VDZ Germany, addressed the cement industry’s decarbonization challenge, emphasizing the importance of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. This ambitious goal necessitates addressing CO2 emissions throughout the entire cement and concrete production value chain. Joschko highlighted the role of carbon capture and storage/utilization technologies (CCUS) in reducing CO2 emissions but noted their high costs. He advocated for strategies that prevent CO2 generation in the first place, reducing energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and costs for clinker production through equipment and operational efficiency improvements.
Joel Maia, CEO of FCT Combustion based in their European Headquarters in Vienna, discussed decarbonizing the cement industry through the use of calcined clays and alternative fuels. He pointed out that calcined clays can be used as a supplementary cementitious material in the cement industry, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the cement industry. In addition, the use of alternative fuels can further reduce CO2 emissions from the cement industry.
Antonio Clausi, Global Director of the Competence Center Cement at Heidelberg Materials, presented Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) as a strategic solution to decarbonization. He explained how CCUS can capture CO2 emissions from the cement industry and store them underground, thus reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
Dr. Oliver Sartor, representing Agora Energiewende Germany, discussed Carbon Contracts for Difference and Funding Instruments for Deep Decarbonization, financial mechanisms that incentivize the adoption of sustainable practices and technologies in the cement industry.
Innovative Materials and Technologies
In the realm of innovative materials, Roberto Diaz Duran, the R&D Manager at Cementos Progreso Guatemala, shared practical experiences in the use of Calcined Clays as Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM). He emphasized the importance of understanding the specific mineral composition of clay when developing and optimizing its calcination technology, critical for reducing carbon emissions and enhancing concrete durability.
Philippe Bourdiol, Area Sales Manager at Firefly Sweden, discussed fire prevention solutions in the production, handling, and storage of alternative fuels, emphasizing their role in reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing production safety.
Petra Muehlen, CEO of SpectraFlow Analytics Switzerland, presented on increasing the use of low CO2 materials with Real-time online Near Infrared (NIR) analysis, highlighting its role in identifying and quantifying low CO2 materials.
Andrew Ollier, representing Refratechnik Cement GmbH, showcased the groundbreaking ES (Emission and Energy Saving) refractory lining concept for rotary kilns. This innovative concept, comprising various brick grades, significantly reduces heat transfer coefficients in the clinker burning process. By implementing measures like the refractory ES brick concept, the industry aims to curb CO2 generation, cutting energy consumption, CO2 emissions, and additional costs in clinker production. This proactive approach aligns with the industry’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
Jean-Michel Charmet from Fives FCB France presented Fives’ smart alternative to raw materials and fuels for CO2 reduction. He emphasized the role of smart technologies in replacing raw materials and fuels with more sustainable alternatives, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the cement industry.
Jean Yves Bonnaire, Managing Director of Carib Sand & Stone Martinique, presented a comparative analysis on the evolution of standards for low-carbon ternary cements. He highlighted the importance of adopting low-carbon standards in the cement industry, which can contribute to reducing its carbon footprint and promoting a more sustainable future.
Finally, Luis Miguel Echeverri, Carbon Neutrality Strategy Manager at Cementos Argos, discussed the design of innovative financial mechanisms to enable the transition toward carbon neutrality in developing countries. He emphasized the role of innovative financial mechanisms in promoting the transition towards carbon neutrality, which is crucial for the sustainable development of developing countries.
Alternative Fuels and Energy Efficiency
The global community faces the pressing need to transition to more sustainable production methods across all industries, including the cement sector, a significant contributor to CO2 emissions. Innovative solutions, in the form of alternative fuels and energy efficiency measures, are emerging.
At the recent CarbonZero Conference & Exhibition in Lyon, two industry experts, Lars Jennissen, Chief Development Officer at N+P Group, and Dhiraj Rama, Industry Executive at Cement and Concrete South Africa, shared insights on these solutions.
Lars Jennissen highlighted the potential of waste-derived alternative fuels, emphasizing their role in reducing landfill waste and providing high-quality alternatives to fossil-based commodities.
Dhiraj Rama, Industry Executive at Cement and Concrete South Africa (CCSA), discussed the transition to Alternative Fuel Resources (AFRs) in the cement sector, showcasing their efforts to lead climate change, air quality, water management, and waste management initiatives.
The insights shared by Jennissen and Rama highlight significant progress in the cement industry towards reducing CO2 emissions through waste-derived alternative fuels and AFRs. While challenges remain, such as technology investments, local supply chain development, regulatory support, and ongoing innovation, the potential benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and new green job opportunities, make these efforts a worthy investment.
Holcim Innovation Hub Visit
The visit to the Holcim Innovation Hub commenced with an insightful introduction delivered by Edelio Bermejo, Head of Global Innovation and Intellectual Property at Holcim. This set the tone for a series of significant sessions, the first focusing on “Alternative Raw Materials and Alternative Fuels at Holcim: Circularity and Decarbonization: Mandatory Levers for the Survival of the Cement Industry in Europe,” presented by Nicolas Meyre, Alternative Raw Materials Manager at Geocycle.
Andrei Covatariu, an esteemed International Energy and Climate Expert, Co-Founder of ECERA, and Co-Chair of the Digitalization in Energy Task Force at the United Nations Economic Commission, initiated a discussion on energy markets within the context of new energy security layers. Covatariu emphasized the critical need for an energy market shift prioritizing both security and sustainability, underlining the importance of new energy security layers in fostering resilience amid market fluctuations and uncertainties.
Conor O’Riain, Managing Director at Ecocem Global Ireland, delivered an engaging presentation on low carbon cement and construction solutions. His discussion detailed the pivotal role of low carbon cement in promoting sustainability within the construction industry, highlighting its benefits such as reduced CO2 emissions and improved building performance.
Ahsan Anis, COO at PowerCement Pakistan, provided insights into the use of sugar mud press as an alternative fuel for the cement industry, stressing its potential as a sustainable fuel source and its contribution to reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
The day concluded with a tour of the Holcim Innovation Hub, a state-of-the-art facility that showcases the company’s most innovative and sustainable building solutions. The tour offered a glimpse into the future of sustainable construction, with exhibits showcasing solutions that are designed to be more sustainable, energy-efficient, and resilient.
A Commitment to a Greener Future
The CarbonZero Global Conference and Exhibition 2023, Organized by Industry Link, served as a pivotal platform for sharing innovative ideas and best practices. The event fostered collaboration and innovation, driving us towards a more sustainable future. Professionals shared their insights, experiences, and knowledge, enabling attendees to learn, network, and engage in cooperative initiatives.
More than just a conference, it represented a movement led by Industry Link, emphasizing collective action and innovation to address the pressing challenge of climate change. This movement aimed to establish a legacy of sustainability and progress for future generations.
The discussions and strategies shared during the conference not only transformed the cement industry but significantly contributed to global decarbonization efforts. By embracing more sustainable practices, the industry is actively working toward a future defined by sustainability.
Though the event has concluded, the journey toward sustainability continues. It necessitates strategic investments in technology, local supply chains for alternative fuels, regulatory support, and an unwavering commitment to innovation and improvement. Despite challenges, the potential benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions and the creation of new green job opportunities, make these efforts crucial.
