This post is a part of DIL Intelligence series from Energy Alternatives India (EAI), India’s leading climate-tech consulting firm.
DIL stands for Decarbonization for India’s Leaders and provides comprehensive market intelligence and updates to Indian corporate leaders on prominent decarbonization efforts across the Indian industrial ecosystem. DIL is provided by EAI’s strategy consulting team. More about our consulting from here.
India’s cement industry is transforming, holding the second-largest global production capacity and contributing 07% to the world’s installed capacity. Currently producing 374.55 million tonnes (MT), the industry is on a path to an exponential increase, with projections estimating production to reach 4.83 billion tonnes by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.65%. Nearly 60% of emissions from cement production come from the process of transforming raw materials into clinker, making it a challenge to the sector.
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited, is an Indian cement manufacturer, that decarbonizes and reaches net-zero emissions. The Data-Driven modeling focuses on improving energy efficiency, increasing the share of lower carbon energy sources, and deploying carbon sink technologies such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage.
Similarly, Heidelberg Cement, pushing beyond industry standards with its 2030 target of 400 kg CO2/tonne. Their strategy encompasses a diverse toolbox: replacing fossil fuels with biomass and waste, capturing and storing emissions, reducing clinker usage, and optimizing operations through digital twins. Leading industry initiatives and collaborating with research partners, they ensure transparency and accountability by linking CEO compensation to emission goals.
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LafargeHolcim tackles decarbonization on multiple fronts. Their 480 kg CO2/tonne target by 2030, requires significant cuts from their current footprint. They focus on green operations, low-carbon building solutions like ECOPlanet (targeting 50% sales by 2030), circular construction through their ECOCycle® program (targeting 150 sites), and carbon capture initiatives. Digitalization and partnerships with IBM and others fuel their data-driven approach to optimize operations, predict emissions, and identify decarbonization pathways.
Short-term wins come through available strategies like data-driven energy efficiency. Digital twins identify plant inefficiencies, guiding upgrades to energy-efficient equipment and renewable energy integration. Sustainable sourcing prioritizes certified suppliers, and circular practices like recycling and using fly ash minimize embodied carbon. These steps deliver rapid emission reductions, cost-effectiveness, and improved reputation, building momentum for bigger changes.
The long-term vision emphasizes transforming the production core. Fuel transition sees a shift to biomass and waste materials, with the potential for deeper cuts using hydrogen or biofuels. The clinker revolution minimizes clinker dependence through advanced materials, exploring low-temperature clinkering or even carbon capture. Digital transformation leverages AI for advanced process optimization, predictive maintenance, and real-time emission monitoring, enabling continuous improvement. These transformative strategies unlock deep decarbonization, future-proof the industry against evolving regulations, and position leaders in a sustainable future.
This post is a part of DIL Intelligence series from Energy Alternatives India (EAI), India’s leading climate-tech consulting firm.
DIL stands for Decarbonization for India’s Leaders and provides comprehensive market intelligence and updates to Indian corporate leaders on prominent decarbonization efforts across the Indian industrial ecosystem. DIL is provided by EAI’s strategy consulting team. More about our consulting from here.
