Cement Production is the biggest contributors to environment pollution
Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC 3 ), is the major innovation to reduce carbon
emissions
Development Alternatives (DA) hosted the 24 th “trialogue 2047” to bring a light upon the
urgent need to decarbonise the cement industry, which is considered one of the biggest
contributors to environmental pollution. The “trialogue2047” brought together key
stakeholders of this sector on one platform, including Ms. Ruchika Drall, Deputy Secretary,
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI; Mr. S. Chandrasekar, IFS,
Member Secretary, Bihar State Pollution Control Board; Dr. Jonathan Demenge, Head of
Cooperation, Swiss agency of development and cooperation (India); Dr Soumen Maity, Vice
President, Development Alternatives and Dr Mukesh Kumar, R&D Head, J.K. Laxmi
Cement Ltd.
The discussion arrived at a consensus that the best way forward is to adopt transformative
technologies that help in decarbonising the cement industry. This needs a strong
commitment and cooperation on the part of the cement industry, government, institutions,
civil society and academia.
DA Group in association with École poly technique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)
Switzerland, Indian Institute of Technology Madras and Delhi, and Universidad Central
“Marta Abreu” de Las Villas, (UCLV) Cuba, supported by Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation, India, Embassy of Switzerland have been working from the last decade
on Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC 3 ), which is seen as a major innovation to reduce
emissions. LC 3 reduces the clinker factor in cement production by the addition of calcined
clay and waste limestone. While LC 3 has become a cement of choice in over a dozen
countries in Africa, South America, and South East Asia, the standards for commercially
producing LC 3 in India is at the final stages with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). It is
expected to be published very soon.
TARA the “incubation engine” of the DA Group in association with IIT Delhi and IIT Madras
has worked towards commercial production of LC 3 in India. Lately, it has been a preferred
technology and knowledge partner with large conglomerates in the sector such as JK
Lakshmi Cement for the commercial production of LC 3 . It is hoped that with commercial use
of LC 3 , India will be able to provide a profitable and viable solution against the adverse
effects of climate change and achieve the nationally determined commitments made at
COP26 by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
During the trialogue 2047, Ms. Ruchika Drall, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change, GoI, said “Industry’s transition to low carbon
pathway is important to meet the India’s goal to net zero by 2047. Leadership for industry
transition (LeadIT) is one such initiative by the government of India to support transition of
hard to abate sectors.”
Mr. S. Chandrasekar, IFS, Member Secretary, Bihar State Pollution Control Board, said
“In order to become a carbon-neutral state by 2040, Bihar is working on a long-term strategy
for low carbon and climate-resilient development, partnering with organisations such as The
Development Alternatives Group. Recently, we have completed a study on GHG inventory of
the brick sector with the help of Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation and Development
Alternatives Group. To reduce emissions from the bricks sector, we promote fly
ash technology in the state. There are over 500 fly ash brick enterprises in the state. We
have also initiated GHG (Green House Gases) inventorisation of the cement plants in Bihar.
LC3 will play a significant role in the state as well as in the country to minimise emissions.”
Dr Soumen Maity, Vice President, Development Alternatives, said “We have been at the
forefront in ensuring the decarbonisation of the cement industry. We have been working for
over a decade to reach this juncture where a synergy between public and private partnership
can be created. With the “trialogue 2047” we hope the PPP approach will facilitate the final
goal of decarbonisation.”
Dr Mukesh Kumar, R&D Head, J.K. Laxmi Cement Ltd, said “Our Company, JK Laxmi
cement Ltd is involved in decarbonisation of cement production in various ways. JKL has
signed an MOU on 3rd May 2022, in collaboration of TARA in presence of Shri Arun Kumar
Shukla, President of JKL and Dr S.K Saxena.JKL has produced 5million tones of LC3
cement the year 2016 in collaboration of IIT Delhi and TARA.
Decarbonising Cement Production
Cement production is one of the most resource- and energy-intensive processthat causea
significant impact on the environment and natural resource base. Despite the noteworthy
progress by the Indian cement industry in enhancing energy efficiency, greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions from the cement sector are still significantly higher (187 million tonnes of
CO 2 in 2015-16) (GHG Platform India, 2016). The magnitude of projected demand for
buildings and infrastructure in India will result in the cement industry expanding threefold
by2050, resulting in a proportionate increase in the sector’s CO 2 emissions. This is a cause
for concern as the release of such large quantities of CO 2 into the atmosphere will
exacerbate the extent of global warming and intensify the effects related to climate change.
