Votorantim Cimentos ended 2022 with positive results in its decarbonization journey. Globally, the company emitted 579 kg of CO2 per tonne of cement produced, a 3% reduction compared to 2021.
Between 1990 and 2022, Votorantim Cimentos reduced its CO2 emissions per tonne of cement produced by 24%.
“Fighting the negative effects of climate change is at the heart of our strategy and aligns with our focus on competitiveness and on creating a positive legacy for society. We continue to work to optimize our product portfolio, explore opportunities in the circular economy and develop new technologies. The improvement in our performance in 2022 reinforce our commitment and ongoing efforts to support the carbon neutral agenda,” said Álvaro Lorenz, global director of sustainability, institutional relations, product development, engineering and energy at Votorantim Cimentos.
In 2022, Votorantim Cimentos’ thermal substitution rate through co-processing was 26.5%, reflecting the increased use of alternative fuels to replace fossil fuel in cement production kilns. In 2021, the company had a 22.4% thermal substitution rate and the goal for 2030 is to reach 53%.
The rate of substitution of clinker, the main source of CO2 emissions in cement production, went from 74.9% in 2021 to 73.9% in 2022. The goal for 2030 is to reach a clinker factor of 68% by exploring increasingly more alternatives in the circular economy.
Votorantim Cimentos’ decarbonization strategy is based on four main pillars: co-processing; the use of cementitious materials, including by-products from other industries, to replace clinker; energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources, leveraging company-owned hydroelectric power plants and investments in solar and wind energy; and the development of technologies.
In December 2022, Votorantim Cimentos announced a new decarbonization target for 2030, approved by the Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), of 475 kg of CO2 per tonne of cement. The new target is 8.7% lower than the target announced as part of its 2030 Sustainability Commitments, (520 kg of CO2 per tonne of cement).
