Cemtech Asia 2024 commenced today at the five-star Shangri-La Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. The event, running from 2-5 June, welcomes over 325 cement professionals from 29 countries for an industry-leading conference and a 53-stand exhibition.

Speakers shared views on how the cement industry can be decarbonised. Whether it is through the adoption of innovative technologies or the improvement of internal processes, the conference highlighted the latest developments in decarbonisation.

“This event is outstanding and useful because there will be a lot of discussions, sharing of thoughts, sharing of information, actions, best practices, and more initiatives, where member country delegates work together to map out strategies in advancing the implementation of decarbonisation for the cement industry in Asia,” said Lilik Unggul Raharjo, Asosiasi Semen Indonesia (Indonesian Cement Association).

Mr Raharjo announced the organisation’s decarbonisation roadmap, in collaboration with the Indonesian Ministry of Industry. The plan takes a two-scope approach to reducing GHG emissions. Scope one (decarbonisation of internal processes) includes increasing the use of alternative fuels and biomass substitution rates, reducing the clinker factor by advocating for a performance-based cement standard with a lower clinker factor, and reducing fuel usage by optimising pyroprocessing systems. Scope two of the plan consists of reducing the need for electrical energy. This will be achieved through digitalisation/automation, solar panel installation and other renewable energy systems such as waste heat recovery systems.

Not only is this roadmap expected to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy usage per tonne of cement but also the cost per tonne of cement. This represents an exciting opportunity for cement producers and solutions providers to benefit from the reduction of carbon emissions.

“As a follow-up to the implementation and to strengthen the legality of the national cement industry decarbonisation roadmap, we have plans to elevate the roadmap into a Ministerial Regulation which could become the foundation for Indonesia's cement producers to develop their respective decarbonisation roadmaps,” said Putu Nadi Astuti, director of cement, ceramics and non metallic minerals processing industry at Indonesia's Ministry of Industry.

The Indonesian Cement Association’s roadmap is expected to be ratified by November 2024, with help from the Indonesian government.

Over the next two days, delegates will hear from a range of cement industry experts on topics such as alternative fuel usage, process optimisation, carbon capture and many more. In addition, the 53-stand exhibition will offer delegates the chance to explore the latest innovations in cement production technologies with equipment manufacturers from across the world.

Published under Cement News