Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality: Portland Cement Association Report

The Portland Cement Association (“PCA”) issued a report titled:

Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality – A More Sustainable World is Shaped by Concrete (“Report”)

The Report describes how PCA member companies have committed to achieving carbon neutrality across the cement and concrete value chain by 2050.

The value chain, beginning with the cement plant and extending through the lifecycle of the built environment and incorporating the circular economy, is considered. The approach is stated to leverage relationships at each step of the value chain.

The Report emphasizes that the cement and concrete industry cannot achieve carbon neutrality objectives on its own. It argues that reducing CO2 emissions from all sources (including the building sector) requires recognition of the way the world is interconnected.

The five links in the value chain in the industry are stated to include:

• Production of clinker
• Manufacture and shipment of cement
• Manufacture of concrete
• Construction of the built environment
• Capture of carbon dioxide using concrete as a carbon sink

The Report describes each link, identifying:

• Specific targets
• Timelines
• Technologies
• Policies

Examples of activities in the industry that have been identified as helping achieve carbon neutrality include:

• Replace raw materials with decarbonated materials
• Use of alternative fuels
• Continue efficiency improvements
• Implement carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology
• Promote new cement mixes
• Increase use of portland-limestone cement
• Optimize concrete mixes
• Use renewable fuels
• Increase the use of recycled materials
• Avoid overdesign and leverage construction technologies
• Educate design and construction community
• Incentivize energy efficient buildings
• Reduce vehicle emissions by improving fuel efficiency
• Decreased maintenance
• Recycling
• Carbonation

PCA describes itself as the premier policy, research, education, and market intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufacturers. Its members are stated to represent the majority of United States cement production capacity.

A copy of the Report can be downloaded here.