Skip to main content

Cement Firms Set Sustainability Partnership

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development and some of the world's biggest cement producers say they're designing a blueprint for a future that will contribute to both a prosperous cement industry and a sustainable global economy.

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development and some of the world's biggest cement producers say they're designing a blueprint for a future that will contribute to both a prosperous cement industry and a sustainable global economy.

The project, initiated by a group of cement companies, will solicit the views of a large number of stakeholders as part of an independent investigation into the specific challenges, barriers, and opportunities facing the industry in its drive toward greater sustainability.

Ultimately, the project aims to pave the way for positive changes over an extended period that will make the cement industry a leading participant in a globally sustainable future.

WBCSD has retained Battelle Memorial Institute to coordinate the project, the first step of which is the issuing of a "request for expression of interest" from potential subcontractors.

According to the WBCSD, the cement industry produces 1.5 billion tons of cement annually -- a "glue" that holds together much of our modern global infrastructure: roads, houses, dams, water treatment systems, schools, and hospitals included. However, the industry must deal successfully with a number of concerns, among them: restoring exhausted limestone quarries, minimizing wastes and carbon dioxide in its manufacturing processes. Of course, the Council notes, there are also opportunities, such as recycling the waste of other industries in an environmentally responsible way.

The main study results with measurable action targets directed at both manufacturers and stakeholders will be circulated among a wide audience. Once producers know where the problems and opportunities lie, the Council says, and stakeholders are better informed about the challenges which sustainability poses, all parties can start to mobilize resources and adapt planning policy to meet objective goals.

The process for change is expected to be gradual. For example, even if environmentally friendlier processes for producing cement are found, there needs to be a supporting legal framework that allows such alternatives to be used.

The project started in February 2000. In May, the scoping paper was delivered and outreach to prospective sponsors started. The main study got underway at the beginning of July with a mid-term progress report scheduled for January 2001 and completion by October of that year.

The preliminary budget is $3.5 million. Each working group company is to contribute $250,000 for the two-year life of the project, while approximately $1 million will be sought from private and public sector sponsors.

Ten cement companies are participating in the project, including CEMEX (Mexico), Heidelberger Zement (Germany), Italcementi (Italy), RMC (United Kingdom), Siam Cement Industry (Thailand), Taiheiyo Cement (Japan) and Votorantim (Brazil).

For more information regarding this project and the process for submission, visit http://www.wbcsd.org/aboutus.htm#top.

-----------------

RELATED LINKS:

Center for Sustainable Systems

Global System for Sustainable Development

Industrial Ecology 2000

More on this topic