Opportunities and challenges
The construction sector, particularly cement production and its main consumer, ready-mix concrete, lies at the core of the climate challenges facing our society. In July 2021, the European Commission introduced a series of measures to adapt the European Union's climate, energy, transport and taxation policies. This with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels. This is what is known as the Green Deal for Europe.
Recognizing its potential to drive the construction industry towards a Net-Zero future, Holcim has decided to accelerate the decarbonization of the construction sector and play its role as world leader in sustainable construction materials and solutions. In particular, by investing in the partial or total transformation of its cement production units in order to drastically reduce their carbon footprint. Holcim Belgium's GO4ZERO project is a powerful response to this challenge.
To achieve carbon neutrality, GO4ZERO is undertaking the development of an innovative kiln, using a cutting-edge "dry process". Equipped with oxyfuel technology favoring oxygen combustion and specially designed to enhance energy and environmental performance, this kiln aims to drastically reduce carbon emissions. These innovations will ensure that the kiln achieves the highest levels of circularity and optimized heat recovery, marking a significant stride towards reducing our carbon footprint. This approach illustrates GO4ZERO's dedication to sustainable and environmentally-friendly production practices.
The GO4ZERO plant aspires to achieve the "Net-Zero" status by 2030, aligning with the objectives outlined in the European Green Pact. This endeavor underlines GO4ZERO's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
At the same time, GO4ZERO plans to optimize its energy consumption by adopting an energy mix that significantly reduces its carbon footprint. This forward-looking strategy is underpinned by a suite of sustainability-focused innovations, further accentuating GO4ZERO's dedication to eco-conscious practices.
TotalEnergies is currently building Europe's largest floating photovoltaic panel farm on one of the lakes, a remnant of Holcim's underwater chalk extraction since 1911. The aim is to power Holcim's facilities using the farm's total electricity output (29 GWh) over the next 25 years. The floating farm will have a capacity of 30 MW, thanks to the installation of 55,000 solar panels over a 17-hectare area, located among the 100 hectares of lakes surrounding the site. This installation will cover around 15% of the plant's electricity needs for around 1,000 hours a year, during peak periods.
Concurrently, Holcim plans to equip the new clinker kiln (stage 1) with an innovative waste heat recovery system, capable of producing up to 50 GWh of carbon-free electrical energy.
By 2027, GO4ZERO aims to fulfill nearly half of its annual energy requirements through on-site green energy sources, thus reducing the reliance on the traditional distribution grid. To supplement its needs, GO4ZERO also plans to acquire additional green energy via this network.
This comprehensive approach reflects our steadfast dedication to achieving ambitious decarbonization goals, underscoring our commitment to fostering a greener and more sustainable industry.
