Case: Cement with clear environmental objectives
Cement production accounts for most of Troldtekt’s carbon footprint.
It is therefore vital that Aalborg Portland, which delivers all the cement for Troldtekt’s acoustic panels, works strategically to reduce its environmental impact.
The majority of Troldtekt’s CO2 emissions stem from the production of cement, which together with water and certified Norway spruce constitute the raw materials in Troldtekt cement-bonded wood wool. Troldtekt therefore places considerable emphasis on the fact that Aalborg Portland shares its environmental values.
- For Troldtekt, it is a conscious, strategic and crucial decision to have a cement supplier that also takes a targeted approach to reducing CO2 emissions, says Renate Blom, project manager for development, environment and quality at Troldtekt.
Environment anchored in senior management
Common to both Troldtekt and Aalborg Portland is the fact that the companies’ environmental initiatives are clearly anchored at senior management level, and that the environmental objectives are part of the overall business goals.
– At Aalborg Portland, cutting CO2 emissions is rooted in our environmental management system as well as in our environment and energy group. We started introducing certified environmental management at an early stage, and we boast a range of environmental and energy certifications, for example ISO 14001, ISO 50001 and the European EMAS certification, says Preben Andreasen, environmental and energy manager at Aalborg Portland.
Clear energy reduction targets
Each year, Aalborg Portland sets clear targets for, among other things, CO2 reductions and energy efficiency improvements. An overriding goal of the measures is to ensure that Aalborg Portland’s customers can achieve their environmental objectives, among other things by developing eco-friendly cement and concrete products and improving the life cycle of concrete.
– In our white cement, for example, we use desulphurised gypsum, which is a recycled material produced in connection with pre-cleaning the factory’s flue gas of sulphur. We reuse our own desulphurised gypsum and also source it from local power stations. As a result, we do not have to ship as much natural gypsum from Canada. Unfortunately, in 2015 there was less desulphurised gypsum available than in the past, says Preben Andreasen.
Cement-bonded wood wool returns to the cycle
Aalborg Portland also involve its customers in its environmental work, including Troldtekt.
– In 2015 we started cooperating with Troldtekt on taking back construction materials. In future, we hope to be able to use cement-bonded wood wool from demolished buildings as a sustainable fuel and as a raw material in new cement. The challenge is to organise a collection system from building sites and recycling stations, but we are working on it, says Preben Andreasen.
Concrete environmental results at Aalborg Portland
The majority of Troldtekt’s CO2 emissions stem from the production of cement, which together with water and certified Norway spruce constitute the raw materials in Troldtekt cement-bonded wood wool. Troldtekt therefore places considerable emphasis on the fact that Aalborg Portland shares its environmental values.
- For Troldtekt, it is a conscious, strategic and crucial decision to have a cement supplier that also takes a targeted approach to reducing CO2 emissions, says Renate Blom, project manager for development, environment and quality at Troldtekt.
Environment anchored in senior management
Common to both Troldtekt and Aalborg Portland is the fact that the companies’ environmental initiatives are clearly anchored at senior management level, and that the environmental objectives are part of the overall business goals.
– At Aalborg Portland, cutting CO2 emissions is rooted in our environmental management system as well as in our environment and energy group. We started introducing certified environmental management at an early stage, and we boast a range of environmental and energy certifications, for example ISO 14001, ISO 50001 and the European EMAS certification, says Preben Andreasen, environmental and energy manager at Aalborg Portland.
Clear energy reduction targets
Each year, Aalborg Portland sets clear targets for, among other things, CO2 reductions and energy efficiency improvements. An overriding goal of the measures is to ensure that Aalborg Portland’s customers can achieve their environmental objectives, among other things by developing eco-friendly cement and concrete products and improving the life cycle of concrete.
– In our white cement, for example, we use desulphurised gypsum, which is a recycled material produced in connection with pre-cleaning the factory’s flue gas of sulphur. We reuse our own desulphurised gypsum and also source it from local power stations. As a result, we do not have to ship as much natural gypsum from Canada. Unfortunately, in 2015 there was less desulphurised gypsum available than in the past, says Preben Andreasen.
Cement-bonded wood wool returns to the cycle
Aalborg Portland also involve its customers in its environmental work, including Troldtekt.
– In 2015 we started cooperating with Troldtekt on taking back construction materials. In future, we hope to be able to use cement-bonded wood wool from demolished buildings as a sustainable fuel and as a raw material in new cement. The challenge is to organise a collection system from building sites and recycling stations, but we are working on it, says Preben Andreasen.
Concrete environmental results at Aalborg Portland
- Completion of plant which makes it possible for 60 per cent of the energy used for cement production to come from alternative fuels.
- Alternative fuel now accounts for 41 per cent of the energy used to produce grey cement.
- Alternative fuel now accounts for 20 per cent of the energy used to produce white cement.