Cement, Energy and Environment

47 Decarbonisation Journey at JSW Nandyal Cement Works Manoj Rustagi, Chief Sustainability and Innovation Officer Monika Shrivastava, Head Sustainability, JSW Cement Limited The cement industry is classified as a “hard-to- abate” sector due to the significant challenges involved in reducing its carbon emissions. It accounts for approximately 6-7% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The primary source of emissions in cement production is process emissions, which contribute 55-60% of the total emissions. During the calcination process, limestone, the key raw material, is heated to produce clinker—the primary component of cement. This chemical reaction releases a substantial amount of CO2 as limestone (calcium carbonate) breaks down into calcium oxide and CO2. These emissions are intrinsic to the process, making them difficult to mitigate. Another key contributor to emissions is fuel emissions, accounting for around 25-30% of the total emissions. This is generated when coal is burned to reach the high temperatures required (over 1,400°C) for clinker production. Additionally, power and transport emissions contribute approximately 10-15% of the overall emissions. Indian cement companies, including JSW Cement, are actively exploring various strategies to reduce their emissions. JSW Cement, in particular, has demonstrated significant progress in sustainable growth. Over the past decade, the company has increased its production capacity by four times, while simultaneously reducing its emission intensity by more than 50%. This achievement is largely attributed to various decarbonisation initiatives, many of which have been implemented at the Nandyal Cement Works. This article highlights all the initiatives and practices which are being undertaken at this unit. ABOUT NANDYAL CEMENT WORKS JSW Cement’s Nandyal plant is a state-of-the-art