VDZ's environmental data 2023 published

A climate-neutral cement production process – this is the industry's goal, which is to be realised as far as possible by 2040 in view of the reduction path in EU emissions trading. Since 1990, German cement manufacturers have succeeded in reducing CO₂ emissions per tonne of cement by around 25%. In addition to improvements in thermal efficiency, two factors in particular have been decisive for this reduction success: the reduction of the clinker content in cement from 83 % in 1990 to 69 % today and the increased use of alternative fuels which currently accounts for around 74 % (one third of which is biomass). 

In addition to a further reduction in the clinker factor, an almost complete renunciation of fossil fuels and innovations in concrete production and construction, complete decarbonisation of the sector can only be achieved with CO₂ capture in the cement plant and subsequent use and storage (CCUS). There are already numerous pilot projects in this area, which focus primarily on the utilisation of the greenhouse gas. 

However, it is becoming apparent that the corresponding authorisation procedures are increasingly becoming a time bottleneck. It would be desirable for important issues to be clarified at a national level and for pragmatic, cross-state solutions to be developed. This applies not only to the capture plants themselves, but also to the expansion of renewable energies and the development of a CO₂ infrastructure. 

You can download the VDZ environmental data 2023 at: 

https://vdz.info/uwd23