The cement industry has taken its place as one of the leading sectors with the introduction of low- carbon production, which sets the green target in terms of transformation and new technologies in the fight against climate change. Green transformation should be considered as an opportunity rather than an obstacle, especially in sectors such as cement, iron-steel and chemistry where carbon emission reduction is difficult. According to Turkiye’s National Contribution Declaration, 41 percent of the increase in carbon emissions will be reduced by 2030. Emissions will reach the maximum in 2038 at the latest and the net zero target in 2053.
Stating that the cement industry will make great contributions to Turkiye’s 2053 zero emission target, Volkan Bozay, CEO of TÜRKÇİMENTO, made the following assessment on the subject: “In our sector, there are emissions related to the conversion of limestone, which is the raw material, into cement. We call these process emissions. Because limestone produces the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). The second source is energy emissions. Because the conversion of raw material requires high temperatures of up to 1500 degrees. Of course we have a carbon reduction strategy. We should say that conventional methods have
an important role in this strategy. However, the cement sector will be one of the leading sectors in reducing carbon emissions with its investments. We can reduce energy emissions with alternative fuels including biomass or energy efficiency investments. Again, using different raw materials instead of clinker, one of the main ingredients of cement, will be beneficial for emission reduction. Nevertheless, these traditional methods are not enough for net zero emissions, we need developing technologies.”
We follow and contribute to public projects
Stating that public institutions in Turkiye have projects to reduce carbon emissions, Bozay drew attention to the following points:
- Our sector closely follows and contributes to the projects of public We follow current developments and try to contribute to and be a part of projects developed for low-carbon production. In this context, our Ministries have recently launched projects in the form of large road maps, supported by the World Bank, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and TÜBİTAK. As the sector, we also contribute to these projects.
- As the sector, we expect the Climate Change Law to be published in our country to be mutually supportive with the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Border Carbon Regulation Mechanism (BCRM). During the preparation phase of this law, we shared our low- carbon cement production road-map with public institutions. Our sector determined the necessary initiatives with the road-map study prepared by the
- These initiatives include establishing sustainability transformation programs, increasing the use of alternative fuels including biomass, producing cement with low clinker and alternative raw materials, increasing energy efficiency and developing and using new Each of our producers should now seize the opportunity to realize these initiatives. In this way, it is important that both BCRM and our country seize the opportunity to move towards the 2053 net zero target.
- As the Turkish cement sector, the cooperation of public and non-governmental organizations will be the most needed for the realization of the aforementioned priorities leading to the targets for carbon emission reduction and for full compliance as a sector. In addition to cooperation, providing financing to the sectors will increase investment in new technologies and contribute to emission reduction through the use of alternative
- In the Turkish cement sector, by the end of 2022, 16 of our factories generate their own energy through waste heat recovery in 25 lines with a total power of 5 MW and installed with their own capital. This figure corresponds to the daily electricity consumption of approximately 566,000 households.
- According to data released by the European Environment Agency last February, approximately 75% of the auction revenues generated under the EU Emissions Trading System between 2013 and 2021 were used for climate and energy-related When we look at this data, we can see that the provision of similar financial support in Turkiye will make a great contribution to energy efficiency in the cement sector, especially through waste heat recovery.
- As it is known, we have had an unfortunate experience with the earthquakes occurred With this awareness, rapid steps have been taken for the urban transformation needed in most of our cities, especially Istanbul. In this process, our sector has the production capacity to meet all the needs.
On the other hand, our sector, which struggles with high energy costs, will contribute to the economy of our country as well as protecting our environment by producing low-carbon cement in order to both reduce carbon and produce at lower costs. The way to achieve this will be the promotion of alternative fuel use and the production of additive cement through alternative raw materials. In this way, the cement sector will be at the heart of the zero-carbon future in the 2053 net zero target.