In the heart of the Himalayas, a critical industry is grappling with a global challenge: how to reconcile rapid growth with ambitious climate goals. Aashish Chaulagain, a researcher from the Department of Chemical Science and Engineering at Kathmandu University, has taken a significant step towards answering this question for Nepal’s booming cement sector. His recent study, published in the journal *Energy Conversion and Management: X*, offers a comprehensive life cycle assessment of cement production pathways, providing a roadmap for decarbonization in a country where cement demand is surging post-earthquake reconstruction.
Cement production is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and Nepal’s pledge to reach net zero by 2045 hangs in the balance as the sector expands. Chaulagain’s study is the first of its kind in Nepal, offering a cradle-to-gate analysis of the environmental impact of cement manufacturing. Using primary data from a representative plant and the SimaPro software, he evaluated several production pathways, including conventional coal-based systems, post-combustion carbon capture (PCCC), alternative fuel use, and clinker substitution with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs).
The findings are stark. Pyro-processing, a crucial step in cement production, was identified as the primary emission hotspot, contributing over 91% and 88% of the total global warming potential for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and Portland pozzolana cement (PPC), respectively. “This highlights the urgent need for innovative solutions in this area,” Chaulagain notes.
The study found that PCCC systems can achieve up to 52% reduction in global warming potential compared to conventional OPC. However, this comes with increased resource demands. Sensitivity analysis revealed that even small improvements in electricity efficiency (5%) can have a more significant impact on reducing emissions than coal reductions, particularly in PCCC integrated systems. This insight could steer investment towards energy efficiency measures in the cement industry.
Uncertainty analysis showed that electricity-intensive systems have higher variability, while coal-based systems are more stable. This finding could influence policy decisions and risk management strategies in the sector.
Perhaps the most compelling result is the identification of SCMs-based pathways as the most sustainable option. Through a multi-criteria decision analysis using the analytic hierarchy process across 18 environmental indicators, Chaulagain found that SCMs-based pathways scored the highest (aggregated score: 0.215). This suggests that clinker substitution could be a game-changer for the cement industry’s decarbonization efforts.
The commercial implications are significant. As the global energy sector pivots towards low-carbon solutions, Nepal’s cement industry could become a test case for innovative decarbonization strategies. The findings could influence investment decisions, policy frameworks, and technological advancements in the sector, both in Nepal and beyond.
Chaulagain’s research is a call to action for the cement industry and policymakers. “The path to a low-carbon future is complex, but the tools and strategies are within our reach,” he says. As Nepal strives to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility, this study provides a crucial stepping stone towards a sustainable future for its cement sector.