Holcim Ltd - Atmospheric emissions

About us

Governance, Nomination & Compensation Committee

Geographic diversification

Local management, global standards

Atmospheric emissions

Monitoring and decreasing atmospheric emissions in cement manufacture are Group priorities. Our target, to reduce global average specific NO_x, SO₂ and dust emissions by 20% by 2010 compared to 2004 levels, requires continuous improvement.

Monitoring atmospheric emissions
The installation of continuous emission monitoring devices as well as regular maintenance and training are required by our emissions monitoring and reporting (EMR) standard.

At the end of 2008, the implementation rate of the continuous emission monitors at kiln stacks (excluding India) was 83% (2007: 83%). We make knowledge gained through this work available to local test houses and regulators.

Other atmospheric emissions - dust, NO_X, SO₂
	Number of kilns reporting			Average specific concentration (g/tonne cementitious materials)			Total annual emissions (tonnes/a)
	2006	2007	2008	2006	2007	2008	2006	2007	2008
Dust	162	160	152	125	110	100	20,191	17,735	14,400
NO_x	128	141	145	1,190	1,220	1,160	192,376	199,595	171,925
SO₂	142	150	143	365	320	330	59,144	52,670	49,335

^A_{Data presented in this table are only from cement kiln stacks, and do not include other point sources or fugitive emissions which are difficult to estimate.
^B Total annual emissions were extrapolated from available data sets to all consolidated kilns. Emissions based on continuous monitoring data represent 78% of NO_x emissions, 92% of SO₂ emissions and 51% of dust emissions. The remaining emissions are based on spot testing or extrapolation.
We have already achieved a 20% reduction in specific SO₂ emissions and are on track to achieve a 20% reduction in specific dust emissions by 2010. Due to current economic conditions, our efforts to reduce NO_x emissions focused on implementing primary measures.}

Other atmospheric emissions - Mercury, organics, dioxins / furans
	Number of kilns reporting			Average specific concentration (g/tonne cementitious materials)			Total annual emissions (tonnes/a)
	2006	2007	2008	2006	2007	2008	2006	2007	2008
Mercury	124	129	144	0.025	0.02	0.015	4	2.7	1.9
Organics	132	145	141	65	63	56	10.588	10.280	8320
(micrograms TEQ/tonne cementitious materials)^c
Dioxins/furans	123	129	136	0.06	0.04	0.04	-	-	-

_{C TEQ: Toxic equivalents – a sum parameter accounting for the relative toxicity of the individual dioxin and furan compounds. In cases where the measurements were below the detection limit, 50% of the detection limit was set as the default value.}

In line with our Cement Sustainability Initiative commitment, data are also reported on grams per tonne of clinker.

Other atmospheric emissions - per tonne of clinker
Emission component	Number of kilns reporting			Average specific emissions (g/tonne clinker)			Total annual emissions (tonnes/a)
	2006	2007	2008	2006	2007	2008	2008
NO_x	128	141	145	1,591	1,620	1,590	171,925
SO₂	142	150	143	489	430	455	49,335
Dust	162	160	152	167	145	135	14,400
Organics	132	145	141	88	84	77	8,320
Mercury	124	129	144	0.03	0.02	0.02	1.9
(micrograms TEQ/tonne clinker)
Dioxins/Furans	123	129	136	0.08	0.05	0.06	-