Ian Riley, CEO of the World Cement Association (WCA), has shared his immediate thoughts on the UK Government’s latest funding round under the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF). This funding of GBP51.9m (US$63.3bn) supports the advancement of low-carbon technologies, helping businesses reduce energy costs and accelerate their shift towards more sustainable industrial practices for 25 businesses.
Mr Riley remarks: “The Industrial Energy Transformation Fund’s latest funding round is a significant step forward in fostering low-carbon innovation across industries. By supporting transformative technologies such as large-scale carbon capture, the IETF is enabling businesses to contribute meaningfully to the UK’s net-zero goals.
"Heidelberg Materials UK’s CCS project exemplifies the decisive measures needed to tackle the decarbonisation transition and demonstrates how carbon capture technology can be effectively deployed to mitigate emissions. As the only currently viable and scalable solution to decarbonising cement production, CCS offers the most likely pathway to significantly reducing the industry’s carbon footprint.
"As outlined in the WCA’s latest white paper, global demand for cement and clinker is projected to decline sharply by 2050. However, the sector remains one of the largest industrial emitters of CO2, and the scale of emissions from remaining production necessitates the swift adoption of technologies like CCS, greater use of alternative fuels, and adoption of low-carbon binders for concrete. These measures are not merely about meeting demand more sustainably but are essential for mitigating the substantial emissions footprint that persists even as production slows. Industry collaboration and robust policy support will be critical in accelerating the transition to a decarbonised future.”
