Our Journey to Net Zero

The 2050 final goal is net zero. Moreover, to monitor our decarbonization trajectory we have set an intermediate goal to reduce by 2030 our specific Scope 1 net emission: <500kgCO2/t of cementitious product.

The 2050 final goal is net zero. Moreover, to monitor our decarbonization trajectory we have set an intermediate goal to reduce by 2030 our specific Scope 1 net emission: <500kgCO2/t of cementitious product.

The roadmap “Our Journey to Net Zero” is a long-term plan for decarbonization, in line with the decarbonization goals set in the European Green Deal. Different levers, with different deployment times and intensity, are foreseen to have the direct or indirect consequence of reducing Scope 1 and Scope 2 CO2 emissions.
The final goal at 2050 is to reach the “Net Zero”, which means to reduce to zero the CO2 emission during production and use of the product.
Download the document "Our Journey to Net Zero"

The roadmap has been developed considering all companies being part of the scope of consolidation, excluding the Russian ones due to the current termination of operational control, and including the Brazilian joint venture whose shareholder agreements will allow the consolidation within the perimeter of Buzzi before the intermediate term of the roadmap (2030).
Production data include grey clinker only (standard and oil well), which represent more than 99% of the total clinker production, and all cements/binders formulated with it.

Efficiency in concrete production and in design and construction

A more efficient use of cement in concrete and of concrete in design and construction leads to fewer emissions.

Reduction of clinker content in cement and binders

Clinker is the constituent of cement whose production entails almost all the direct emitted CO2. Producing cements with lower clinker content is therefore a way to reduce CO2 emissions. We assume that clinker substitutes (slag, pozzolan, fly ash, etc.) remain available and at competitive costs.

Saving in clinker production

CO2 savings can be achieved through lower thermal energy consumption, waste heat recovery, use of alternative fuels with biomass content and of fossil fuels with lower emission factor. We expect institutional support in permits and specific authorizations to facilitate the use of alternative fuels and the implementation of innovative technologies.

Recarbonation

This lever consists in a well-known property of cement matrices of “reabsorbing” a part of the CO2 from the atmosphere due to a chemical reaction which leads to the formation of calcium carbonate.

Decarbonization of electrical energy

We took into consideration the decarbonization plans announced by many countries which will use more and more renewable sources to produce electricity. We also foresee to produce electricity in our own installations from renewable sources.

Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)

It is the lever to which the higher reduction is entrusted, and it is also the one that requires the major investments both for us and for other subjects (private and public) in charge for the construction or adaptation of transport infrastructures, storage or possible reuse of CO2. For the infrastructures for capture and storage of CO2 we envisage a fruitful cooperation of different actors in order to:

  • build and manage the CO2 transport network;
  • identify storage or reuse sites (e.g. biofuel production);
  • gain the acceptance by the public opinion;
  • obtain adequate support from the government.

Target 2050

Net Zero

Our Roadmap contains commitments and forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates. Even if the company believes that they are realistic and formulated with prudential criteria, factors external to its will could limit their consistency (or precision, or extent), causing even significant deviations from expectation. The Company will update its commitments and forward-looking statements according to the actual performance and will give an account of the reasons for any deviation.

CO2 emissions reduction projects

The Dyckerhoff plant in Geseke integrated an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) facility

The Dyckerhoff plant in Geseke has made a significant advancement in energy efficiency and environmentally friendly production by integrating an Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) facility. This innovative system, from the Munich-based company Orcan Energy, utilizes previously unused waste heat from the clinker cooler. Central to this technology is a newly installed 50-ton heat exchanger that transfers waste heat to the ORC modules via a water circuit.

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Buzzi and Nuada launch a pilot CO2 capture project at Monselice cement plant

Buzzi and Nuada's pilot project at the Monselice plant uses the CO2 capture technology, employing advanced solid sorbents, known as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF), with a mature vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA) process. This partnership marks a significant step towards cement industry decarbonization and Buzzi's sustainability goals.

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Dyckerhoff plans major investment in carbon capture installation

During the visit of Thuringia's Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow on May 2, Dyckerhoff announced the investment of around 350 million in the construction of a carbon capture installation at its Deuna plant to reduce CO2 emissions by around 620 thousand tons per year.

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"Catch4climate" research project: major progress in the construction of the CO2 capture facility

On March 7, the rotary kiln was assembled at the construction site of the "catch4climate" project in Mergelstetten (Germany). The oxyfuel furnace plant is expected to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2025.

Ph: Armin Buhl

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With the ECODUR product family, Dyckerhoff now offers CO2-reduced concretes on the market

Customers are provided with a reliable basis for project planning and quotation preparation. This is important since more and more tenders are demanding that the concretes used must have a verifiably reduced CO2 footprint.

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Buzzi Unicem plant in Vernasca contributes to HERCCULES


HERCCULES aims to accelerate the application of the CO2 Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) value chain in Mediterranean Europe, leveraging on transport and storage initiatives already under construction in Italy and Greece and developing innovative capture technologies. Buzzi Unicem Vernasca plant has been actively involved in this project.

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Grant awarded to Buzzi Unicem USA and Lehigh University for a decarbonization project

Buzzi Unicem USA and Lehigh University have been awarded with a grant from the US Department of Energy Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office for the development of a decarbonization project, involving the use of calcined clays in cement.

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Cleanker project: a calcium looping demonstration system in Buzzi Unicem cement plant sited in Vernasca

Cleanker is a project involving CO2 capture from cement production, which started in 2017 and ended in 2023. The core aim of the project was the design, construction and operation of an integrated calcium looping demonstration system in Buzzi Unicem cement plant sited in Vernasca (Piacenza, Italy). Vernasca's experiments demonstrated the efficacy of the CO2 capture process in real-world industrial operating conditions.

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