Cement, Energy and Environment

clinker-to-cement ratio must also continue to fall to a global average of 0.64 by 2030, through the increased use of blended cements and clinker substitutes, including various industrial by-products such as blast furnace slag or fly ash which act as co-processing agents for the cement sector. In order to align with the SDS 2030, all these objectives must be met keeping in consideration the fact that the annual cement production will continue to grow through to 2030 at an average annual rate of 0.2%. There is an expected growth in cement production India and various other developing Asian countries and Africa as these regions face the need to develop their infrastructure. Research state that still 70% of the Indian infrastructure needs to be built. Keeping that in consideration, we can expect the demand for cement to grow rapidly in the coming years. Circular economy is the next big step to meet the goals adopted by the SDS 2030. Along with circular economy, adopting material efficiency strategies to optimize the use of cement in concrete will also help to reduce the emissions along the whole construction value chain through reduced demand for cement (Cement - Tracking Clean Energy Progress, 2016). The cement production capacity of India is expected to cross 600 million tonnes by 2030. Considering the increasing capacity of the cement industry, the burden on the resources as well as unfavourable environmental impacts would also be on a rise. In order to meet the goals defined within the SDS, it is important to consider the parameters mentioned above. The current clinker-to-cement ratio in India is currently estimated at around 0.74. This ratio needs to come down, which means there is an opportunity to increase blending. Energy efficiency for the cement industry in India is at a good position with respect to the SDS 2030 goals. While the SDS goal for thermal energy intensity of clinker is 3.3 GJ/t clinker by 2030, India's current thermal energy intensity stands at close to 3 GJ/t clinker. In terms of the electricity intensity of cement, the Indian average is around 77 kWh/tonne cement (TERI, 2017) for the Indian context whereas the SDS goal for 2030 is 87 kWh/tonne. India as of now approximately uses 10% alternative fuels, which is better that current global status, but has an opportunity to improve with respect to SDS 2030 goal. In order to maintain stewardship on specific energy front, and to achieve the targets on the other parameters of the Sustainable Development Scenario (2030), there is a need to scale up the existing initiatives as well as invest into new innovative technologies which are not only environment friendly, but also cost-effective. References Key indicators for the global cement industry in the SDS by 2030 Parameters 2016 estimate SDS 2030 Clinker-to-cement ratio 0.66 0.64 Thermal energy intensity of clinker (GJ/t clinker) 3.4 3.3 Electricity intensity of cement (kWh/t cement) 91 87 Alternative fuel use (% of thermal energy) 6% 18% 13