Cement, Energy and Environment

45 Aggressively enhance efficiency: New rounds of PAT and energy audits should incentivize plants to implement best practices (high-efficiency preheaters, state-of-the-art coolers, variable- speed drives, WHRS) and AI/IoT for ongoing optimization. Already, energy savings are substantial; by 2030 the industry should solidify an intensity of 0.56 tCO 2 /t (2020 target). • Scale up alternative fuels and clinker blends: The government may stipulate minimum AFR share targets (e.g. 10–15% by 2030) and for reducing clinker factor. This entails ensuring supply – e.g. incentivizing RDF manufacture or pelletizing biomass – and revising standards for blended cements. Wastes such as PET-based PFAs (plastic fuel alternatives) and biomass briquettes may be mainstreamed. • Build CCUS pilots and hubs: India should have at least one big (>=0.5 Mt/yr) cement CCUS demonstration by 2030. Industry and government can agree on cluster hubs (e.g. Andhra Pradesh or Gujarat) where several plants are coupled with shared capture and transport infrastructure. Carbon bonds, green banks, mentioned in policy reports, could finance these pilots. At the same time, regulatory actions (completion of CO 2 pipeline regulations, resolution of storage ownership issues) need to be taken. • Advance process electrification: From pilots, cement companies should make pilot projects in the second half of this decade to electrify at least part of their heat (e.g. second kiln line or a clinkering stage). Up scaling renewable electricity capacity (wind/solar + storage) will be required to drive it. Hybrids (bio-coal burners supplemented with electric additives) can bridge the transition. • Institutionalize innovation: Continue to fund R&D partnerships (TERI, IITs, Innovandi) to advance upcoming solutions (carbon cures, LC3, new binders) to commercial readiness. Government tenders or grants for Concrete Breakthrough projects (as initiated at COP28) may target low- carbon cement recipes and digital platforms. • Strengthen policy and market signals: Have CCTS implemented with open baselines and comprehensive GHG coverage. Utilize green public infrastructure (bridges, metro, housing) to make low-CO 2 cement specifying. Impose carbon taxes or differential excise (as some nations already do) in order to make emissions costs evident.