A perspective on environmental sustainability in the cement industry
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A perspective on environmental sustainability in the cement industry Joshua O. Ighalo1 · Adewale George Adeniyi1 Received: 12 January 2020 / Revised: 14 February 2020 / Accepted: 9 June 2020 © Zhejiang University Press 2020
Abstract Cement production is a major contributor to anthropogenic CO2 emissions and solid waste generation. This paper discusses some of the key issues as regards the slow progress in achieving environmental sustainability in the cement industry. Techniques such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), material substitution, alternative fuels and energy efficient technologies have been proposed as means of mitigating the negative environmental impact of cement production. It was observed that much progress has been made in the area of eco-friendly research innovations. These innovations (considered as disruptive by the mega co-operations) have had issues at the entrepreneurial stage. These so-called disruptive technologies have struggled to meet some performance requirements and satisfy funding evaluators thus are still difficult to fully commercialise. The systematisation of the environmental sustainability problem was discussed as a possible way forward both in the environmental, economic and social domain. Looking into the future, a greater emphasis on systematised decision-based approach could help breach the gap between on-paper plans and practical implementations to achieve environmental sustainability. Keywords Cement · Environment · Waste · Global warming · Pollution · Sustainability
Introduction Cement is a fundamental material for building and construction in civil engineering. It has high adhesive properties when mixed with water and aggregates [1]. As urbanisation, industrialisation and infrastructural development continue to increase, so has the use of cement [2, 3]. Global cement demand is predicted to be 3000 mtons (million tonnes) by the year 2020 at a growth rate of 4.7% per year [4]. Because cement manufacturing is a high volume process, any potential environmental impact would consequently be high [5]. It is therefore pertinent that the environmental impact of the cement industry should be given due attention as it is bound to be a key player if the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are to be achieved. Issues such as these have been in the fore as far back as 1992 after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) * Joshua O. Ighalo [email protected] * Adewale George Adeniyi [email protected] 1
Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin P. M. B. 1515, Nigeria
and the associated Earth Summit and legislation has been in place to this effect. Environmental protection can be achieved by implementing a sustainable approach to manufacturing and engineering. Sustainability itself refers to the avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance. Sustainable engineering and manufacturing is one where the use of natural and ren
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