Of course, if the cement is zero carbon, upon arrival in Libramont, it will not be so much since there is transport and handling, etc.
“We have reduced our CO2 emissions by 85 %”
So in the end, is it worth the candle?
The Libramont company is convinced of this: “100 % carbon neutrality will not be possible because there will always be a carbon emission source in all the process, whether it is the use of a computer, etc. On the other hand, we did a complete carbon footprint within our company and we were able to reduce CO2 emissions of around 85 %. These new products that we will offer will be purchased or not by our customers. It will depend on their budget of course, but whatever happens, within five years, when these standards will be imposed everywhere, we can say that we have experience and control of the process. It is good for the positioning of our company on the market, but above all, we are all convinced that we can no longer stay with our arms crossed in the face of climate change. We hear beautiful speeches on the subject, but it is high time to take action “concludes the director of marketing.
Carbon trapped and liquefied is neutralized
“Cement mills are the second largest world pollutorexplains Julien Rock, marketing director at Interbocs in Libramont. The cement industry understood that it should act and Heidelberg, our historic cement plant has continued the research started for years to develop before all its other world competitors launched the race, this neutral carbon cement. “
Carbon is captured, liquefied and neutralized in the ground
Heidelberg is therefore the first cement plant in the world to have found this zero carbon cement. And how did it take it?
Explications de M. Rock : “When you make cement you have to heat limestone at high temperature to fracture it. Molecules separate and release CO2 in large quantities. Instead of letting him go in the air, Heidelberg managed to develop a process that captures him. Once prisoner, he is liquefied to make him harmless and buried in deep geological layers, avoiding any emission in the atmosphere. He is neutralized. It is a very expensive process which is therefore reflected in the price. Even if we will have the exclusivity of this cement in Belgium, we hope that other cement factories will also manage to master a process of carbon neutralization. This will increase volumes and lower prices “concludes Mr. Rock.
Zero carbon cement has the same qualities as the traditional
According to Julien Rock, the legislation will be more and more restrictive in terms of carbon. Within five years, he believes, his sector will be forced to take measures. “”We are in a transition period “, he said.
For the time being, large construction companies are at risk of financial sanctions if they do not decarbon their activities. This could encourage them to take an interest in highly decarbon concrete products sold for the moment by Interbocs. “”When I said that it is a question of philosophy, I can tell you that our products could interest a city like Louvain-la-Neuve and why not other cities that could integrate the use of this type of concrete in their specifications. It is a question of mentalities and they begin to evolve “, concludes Mr. Rock who affirms that zero carbon cement has exactly the same qualities as the traditional, since its manufacturing mode does not change and that its implementation does not require any specific equipment.
Interblocs in Libramont is 33 direct jobs, a 100 % automated factory located on more than six hectares and with an average turnover of € 10 million, or 120,000 tonnes of goods sold annually. The company has 9 m³ of fish pool and produces 400 MWh via its photovoltaic installation.