ACC & Ambuja Cements Pushing Decarbonization to Reach Net-Zero Emissions

ACC and Ambuja Cements have announced that they are pushing up their decarbonization agenda to reach their net-zero emissions target.

Having an aim to generate clean and green energy both companies are in line with LafargeHolcim’s Net Zero Pledge and its ambition to reduce emissions from electricity. The decarbonization agenda will be delivered through several measures including waste heat recovery, using more renewable energy, and reducing the amount of clinker used in cement manufacture.

Speaking of the developments in decarbonization, CEO LafargeHolcim India and Managing Director & CEO of Ambuja Cements Limited, Neeraj Akhoury stated, “We have been consistently striving to set new benchmarks in sustainable construction in India. Our approach to achieving this goal encompasses the three Ps: People, Planet and Profit. By adopting these decarbonization measures, both ACC and Ambuja are giving momentum to their global net-zero journey.”

“As an advocate of strategic sustainability goals, we will continue to focus on responsible manufacturing and production,” Neeraj added.

Both companies are investing in Waste Heat Recovery Systems (WHRS) across six sites in India to reduce 5.61 lakhs tons of CO2 emissions per year. The WHRS will be installed at Ambuja Cements plants in Bhatapara (Chattisgarh), Suli and Rauri (Himachal Pradesh), and Marwar Mundwa (Rajasthan); and ACC plants in Jamul (Chattisgarh) and Kymore (Madhya Pradesh). The investment of Rs. 780 crores in WHRS adding over 76 MW capacity across six sites will be completed in the next 2 years, as per their claim.

Also, the companies are actively partnering with power producers to install renewable energy facilities across their sites and increase their share of renewable energy from the grid. In addition to further reducing their carbon footprint, Ambuja and ACC have also included the use of solar power in their cement manufacturing process.

“We are a partner of the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) in India, which is a testament to our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint. The adoption of these key levers to accelerate decarbonization will strengthen our focus on contributing to economic development, social development, and environmental protection,” declared Mr. Sridhar Balakrishnan, MD & CEO, ACC Limited.

The cement producing duo has begun several CO2 reduction measures such as clinker factor reduction, thermal substitution rate, thermal & electrical energy efficiency, renewable energy, and adoption of new technologies. Both companies have relatively low specific CO2 emissions in the world with about 530 kg and 512 kg CO2 per ton of cementitious material for Ambuja Cement and ACC respectively. Collectively they are attempting to further reduce their carbon emissions intensity to help reach LafargeHolcim’s sector-leading 2030 targets.