VDZ introduces CO₂ label for cement
In 2024, the German cement industry together with other stakeholders developed a definition of ‘green cements’ as part of a stakeholder process organised by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK), which sets thresholds for climate-friendly products. “However, the definition alone does not create demand. That's why VDZ has introduced a voluntary CO₂ label that makes the CO₂ footprint of products on the market easily recognisable and comparable in order to promote the use of green cements”, explains Christian Knell, President of the German Cement Works Association (VDZ). ”The new VDZ label is called Cement Carbon Class (CCC) and can be referred to in tenders so that the use of CO₂ reduced cements becomes standard in the construction sector”, Knell emphasises. The public sector is particularly interested in this when it comes to procurement – but private construction projects can also benefit from low-emission cements and concretes, for example in terms of sustainability certification or the granting of subsidies.
VDZ's new CO₂ label paves the way for the classification of cements into a 'Cement Carbon Class' (CCC) on the basis of their greenhouse gas emissions. The corresponding classes are derived from a concept of ‘Lead markets for climate-friendly raw materials’ defined in the BMWK stakeholder process in 2024 and are based on the system developed by the International Energy Agency (IEA) for categorising cements. In addition to the cement industry, other stakeholders from society, science and business also participated in the stakeholder process.
”By establishing a definition for climate-friendly cements in 2024, German industry and politics have already created a standardised benchmark for assessing CO₂ efficiency and comparing different products. With the new CCC label for cement, we are now putting this definition into practice for users in the construction value chain so that it can be referred to in future invitations to tenders for construction projects”, explains Dr Martin Schneider, Chief Executive of VDZ: “This makes the new CCC label an important step towards promoting green lead markets, which are crucial for the transformation towards climate neutrality.”
VDZ's new CO₂ label classifies climate-friendly products as follows: Classes A to D identify low-emission cements with a CO₂ footprint of between 100 kg CO₂/t cement and 500 kg CO₂/t cement in four levels. ‘Near zero’ cements are those with a CO₂ footprint of less than 100 kg CO₂/t of cement (see also figure below).
More information: https://vdz.info/enccc
About VDZ:
VDZ was founded in 1877. As the joint organisation of the German cement manufacturers, VDZ has been actively promoting environmentally friendly cement production and high-quality concrete construction for more than 140 years. As an international research and competence centre in the field of cement, concrete and environmental protection, VDZ has gained worldwide recognition and respect for its practical research work and its compre-hensive range of services along the entire value chain.
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