Siam City Cement Plc (SCCC), the country’s second largest cement maker, has embarked on a sustainable development mission which includes targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 12% and to derive 40% of its sales from green products.

According to managing director Philippe Arto, the company aims to reduce reduce CO2 emissions by 12% in 2012 from 750kg/t in 2007, by reducing the use of clinker in cement production.

CO2 emissions from the SCCC plant in Saraburi last year were 701kg/t, not far from the 2012 target of 690kg.

Meanwhile, by creating more innovative products and services that are friendlier to the environment, SCCC aims to lift the sales of green products to 40% of its total in 2014 from 25% now.

"We still need to set specific criteria and look at what products can be developed," Mr Arto said.
As well, the company is increasing the use of alternative fuels while also using waste heat recovery (WHR) technology to reduce electricity consumption.

As coal prices have risen and are likely to stay high in the long term, SCCC so far has been able to replace 8% of its energy consumption with alternative fuels, with a target of 15% by 2015.

Thermal energy including coal and electricity account for 80% of the company’s production costs, Mr Arto said.