Cement, Energy and Environment

42 or even chemical reactant in cementmanufacture. Experiments elsewhere have injected H 2 into kilns (withoxygen) or employed it toproducehydrogen- based precursors (such as so-called “green” clinker). In India, pilot projects remain scarce, but firms and research organizations are looking into mixing hydrogen with coal or employing it to manufacture synthetic lime precursors. High cost and the absence of infrastructure are hurdles, but by 2030 demonstration-scale applications of H 2 in cement kilns or upstream operations (e.g. hydrogen calcinations of calcium carbonate) can be anticipated. INCORPORATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY The use of nanotechnology is revolutionizing material science in the cement sector. Nano-silica additives, for instance, increase the mechanical strength and sustainability of concrete while decreasing the amount of cement needed (ScienceDirect, 2023). Nanoparticles may also be used to create intelligent, self-healing concretes and optimize carbonation processes, directly supporting CO 2 sequestration. In addition, nano- designed membranes may radically enhance carbon capture systems by selectively filtering CO 2 molecules more efficiently. India’s policy landscape is changing fast to facilitate cement decarbonization. The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) program has been focusing on cement for energy efficiency for a long time. Cement companies have even exceeded their PAT targets: for instance, in Cycles I and II the industry achieved 81.6% and 48.6% more than its mandated savings respectively. These gains in efficiency provide a solid platform. Drawing on PAT, India modified the Energy Conservation Act (2022) to establish a Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS). In mid-2024, regulations for this intensity framework were released in their final form. The CCTS places compulsory CO 2 emissions intensity baselines (tCO 2 /tonne output) on nine industries – including the cement industry – and permits those below their targets to earn tradable Carbon Credit Certificates. This actually puts a price on CO 2 at the industry level and should encourage more sustainable practices. Internationally, India’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) (2022) pledges POLICY FRAMEWORKS AND COMMITMENTS a 45% decrease in emissions intensity (base year 2005) by 2030 and net-zero by 2070. Significantly, the NDC does not specifically refer to CCUS as yet, but the industry roadmap (GCCA/TERI) aligns with the 2070 net-zero commitment and even includes an interim target for 2047 (Indian independence centenary). The roadmap prioritizes “built environment” interventions such as optimal use of concrete and sustainable procurement, and it calls for policy interventions – e.g., CCUS subsidies or tax credits, investments in infrastructure, and public works-led demand creation for low-carbon cement. Moreover, India’s climate measures – ranging from increasing renewables (corporate RE100 commitments) to more stringent thermal plant standards – indirectly contribute to cement. The industry is also connected to wider initiatives (e.g. Extended Producer Responsibility for solid waste, potentially redirecting waste streams into cement co-processing).