Editorial comment
Hello Dear Reader, and welcome to the March issue of World Cement. Looking at the Contents page this month, you might notice that things are a little ‘greener’ than usual in terms of topics. That’s because the contents of this issue have been specially curated to focus on the challenge of decarbonisation and various aspects of the cement industry’s transition to net zero.
Register for free »
Get started now for absolutely FREE, no credit card required.
And there’s no doubting the scale of that challenge. By most estimates, the cement industry is responsible for ~8% of all man-made CO2 emissions, making it a major contributor to mankind’s environmental footprint. And demand is only set to grow over the long term as the world builds the vital infrastructure for an increasingly urbanised, energy-hungry, and growing global population. Indeed, the UN predicts that by 2050 – the date that many industries (including cement) and nation states are targeting for net zero – the global population will have risen to 9.7 billion people, 68% of which will live in urban areas.
The cement industry thus finds itself tied to the twin challenges of building the world of the future, whilst playing a pivotal role in limiting the impacts of climate change.
Thankfully, as even a brief flick through the pages of this issue will reveal, these challenges are far from insurmountable. By acting today, developing the necessary expertise, and taking advantage of new technologies, processes, and ways of thinking about operations, the cement industry can become a leader in the green transition and help build a world we can be proud of.
But of course, the sheer importance of this topic isn’t the only reason I bring it up this month – I have an ulterior motive. And if you’re currently reading this whilst enjoying the surroundings of Hotel Cascais Miragem on Lisbon’s Atlantic coast, then you’ll likely have guessed what that is. I am, of course, referring to EnviroTech – World Cement’s first in-person conference and exhibition, devoted to discussing the cement industry’s decarbonisation journey.
If you are one of those who’ve joined us in Lisbon for EnviroTech, then: Welcome! Or as the locals might say: Bem-vindo a Lisboa!
We have a fantastic presentation agenda lined up for you; featuring industry leaders and technical experts from many of the world’s foremost cement producers and equipment suppliers, covering everything from alternative fuels, to carbon capture, to energy efficiency, digitalisation, SCMs, and more. On top of all that, be sure to take part in the multiple Q&A sessions taking place throughout the agenda, enjoy our evening networking events featuring local cuisine, and attend our closing Panel Discussion on 13 March, showcasing insightful commentary from leading industry stakeholders. And for those of you reading who were unable to join us for EnviroTech this year, I hope this issue whets your appetite and provides you with a taste of the kind of things we have going on. Perhaps you’ll be able to join us next time? Until then, tchau.
