September 18, 2006

Sustainability

Cement report puts things in global perspective

Cement Association releases first sustainability report to world council tracking sustainability

DAN O’REILLY

correspondent

ottawa

The Canadian cement manufacturing industry now has a way to measure its global impact on environmental sustainability.

Earlier this year, the Cement Association of Canada (CAC) released its first sustainability report as its response and contribution to World Business Council for Sustainable Development’s Cement Sustainability Initiative.

“It will become a benchmark,” says CAC president Pierre Boucher, adding the association intends to publish the report every two years. He expects it will also help educate the public about the manufacturing process.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development is a Switzerland-based confederation of approximately 180 international companies with a shared commitment to sustainable development.

Boucher said the Canadian report puts in clear focus industry efforts to reduce its environmental footprint through such things as the installation of new technologies, including as low NOx burners, and its active participation with the federal government to establish CO2 reduction targets.

The report summarizes the sustainability measures manufacturers of Portland grey cement have used since 2004.

The association compiled the report using its own research, plus surveys manufacturers must file on an annual basis with Environment Canada’s National Pollutants Release Inventory, says Boucher

Some of the highlights include the fact that all 15 of Canada’s cement plans have emissions monitoring systems in place, 13 are using alternative raw materials, 10 have developed climate change mitigation strategies, and seven have community engagement plans in place for quarries.

Canadian cement manufacturers have also agreed to take specific actions in six areas identified by the world council’s Cement Sustainability Initiative, says Boucher.

These include climate protection and CO2 management, responsible use of fuels and materials, employee health and safety, emissions monitoring and reporting, local impacts on land and communities, and reporting and communications.

“Use of alternative fuels for kiln operations here is very low when compared to Europe. We’re probably 15 years behind Europe in this area.”

Pierre Boucher

Cement Association of Canada

Most cement plants in Canada are less than 20 years old and are continuously updated. But there is still need for improvement, says Boucher.

“Use of alternative fuels for kiln operations here is very low when compared to Europe, We’re probably 15 years behind Europe in this area.”

But that’s partly because of restrictive burning regulations, especially in Ontario where 50 per cent of this country’s annual cement tonnage is produced.

“Quebec is more progressive.”

With material temperatures of approximately 1,450 degrees Celsius, cement kilns are at least as effective as incinerators in destroying waste.

“But they’re not incinerators. It’s not burning for the sake of burning.”

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