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 source of carbon emission in all the process, whether it is the use of a computer, etc. On the other hand, we have made a complete carbon footprint within our company and we were able to reduce CO2 emissions of the order of 85%. These new products that we are going to offer will be purchased or not by our customers. When these standards will be imposed everywhere, we will be able to say that we have experience and control of the process.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 it go in the air, Heidelberg has managed to develop a process that captures it. Once prisoner, it is liquefied to make it harmless and buried in deep geological layers, avoiding any emission in the atmosphere. Neutralized.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 which 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.
