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sustainability is the backbone for ensuring continuous economic and industrial growth. Often overlooked in environmental talks is the substantial carbon footprint of the cement industry, which accounts for a significant seven percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The sector is faced with a distinctive environmental challenge, which requires a collaborative and global endeavour to bring about a sustainable era. The cement sector is the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide globally, behind only the United States and China. The rapid growth of the sector, particularly driven by China, highlights the urgent need for a collective global endeavour to reduce its environmental impact.

Pakistan, a country constantly seeking economic advancement, can greatly benefit from the cement sector in its pursuit of progress. With a yearly production capacity nearing 73 million metric tonnes, this industry has the potential to become a fundamental pillar of Pakistan’s economic revival and growth. However, this journey will not be without of its intricacies. The cement business is confronted with two concurrent difficulties that appear to be contradictory: Pakistan’s per capita cement consumption, now at 182 kilogrammes, is comparatively lower than that of its neighbouring countries in the area. This suggests that there is a significant untapped market potential for cement in Pakistan. However, the cement industry’s significant dependence on coal, which makes up 66% of its energy consumption, makes it vulnerable to the volatility of global coal prices and deviates from the global shift towards the use of renewable energy sources. However, if there is a rise in local demand for cement, it is inevitable that it will have harmful effects on the ecology and climate.

The imperative to decrease the carbon emissions of this industry and shift towards its concurrent expansion and

sustainability

is, thus, undeniable. This transition is not only a crucial environmental necessity, but also a vital step to bolster the industry’s ability to withstand challenges and maintain its worldwide competitiveness. Through the implementation of energy utilisation reforms in cement plants, not only will it mitigate ecologically harmful emissions, but it will also effectively maintain lower energy expenses. Consequently, this will facilitate the growth of domestic cement demand while ensuring environmental sustainability and enhancing competitiveness against other global cement producers.

Minimising the use of coal in cement manufacturing

emerges as a promising approach to accomplish these objectives. Agricultural residues, including rice husk, wheat straw, maize stover and rice paddy, have the capacity to substitute 20% to 35% of coal currently utilised in cement kilns. This shift, namely utilising rice husk and paddy, can take advantage of the plentiful biomass generated by agriculture in both Punjab and Sindh. It can fulfil significant fuel needs of the cement industry and decrease its costs per metric tonne of cement manufactured. In addition to the economic benefits, this transition is in line with the financial interests of the sector as it reduces its exposure to fluctuations in global coal prices. Furthermore, it allows for the improvement of environmental standards by reducing air pollution through the controlled combustion of rice paddy. This pragmatic measure towards a more environmentally-friendly future for the cement industry will also align with worldwide endeavours to mitigate climate change.

Minimising the use of coal in cement manufacturing emerges as a highly promising approach.

Examining the complexities of cement production reveals that we need to broaden our attention beyond only reducing coal consumption. We must also tackle the second most important factor contributing to the industry’s emissions, which is electricity. These emissions, although they are indirect as they originate from grid stations, contribute significantly to its environmental impact. An essential solution that arises is a strategic shift towards electricity-efficient technology, which will bring about an era of modern machinery and processes. This shift holds the possibility of dramatically reducing indirect emissions.

In addition to these technological advancements, the implementation of waste heat recovery systems and the extensive use of solar panels could potentially work as proactive strategies to address the environmental issue. The cement industry may significantly reduce its reliance on traditional electricity sources and greatly decrease its total environmental impact by harnessing and using waste heat and adopting solar energy. This comprehensive strategy simultaneously adheres to worldwide sustainable standards while strengthening the cement industry’s ability to withstand challenges by diversifying its energy resources. This guarantees a future that is both environmentally conscious and economically resilient.

Furthermore, considering that the transportation of materials plays a substantial role in the industry’s carbon emissions, it can use the CO2 Arrestor technology, an innovative solution developed by the National University of Science and Technology. This technology offers an innovative method of capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO2) released by vehicles during transportation. By doing so, it helps reduce the negative environmental effects caused by the transportation of raw materials used in cement production. The use of CO2 Arrestor and comparable technology not only supports the industry’s dedication to decreasing carbon emissions, but also represents a significant step towards a circular economy and sustainable practices. Through the strategic integration of technological solutions, the cement industry can effectively tackle both its direct emissions and enhance its ability to withstand the wider problems presented by emissions throughout its value chain.

The government can also play a big role in facilitating this transition by providing preferential energy pricing to facilities that embrace alternative fuels. The government can implement effective carbon-pricing mechanisms as a means to incentivize and expedite the shift towards ecologically sustainable energy consumption.

The success of this transition, however, depends on the cooperative endeavours of all the participants involved in the cement sector. Collaborations between industry and government, guided by technological road-mapping and task forces, can synchronise their strategies and combine resources. Financial assistance, whether in the form of budgetary allocations, tax relief, or international aid, should be especially targeted towards sustainability initiatives and technological advancements. This will ensure a more equitable and economically feasible transition for both major enterprises and smaller entities.