CO2 Performance < EFFICIENT BUILDING™ < Innovation & Construction: Lafarge

EFFICIENT BUILDING™

CO2 Performance

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Since 1990, Lafarge has reduced its net CO2 emissions per ton of cement it produced by more than 20%. And the Group is developing solutions for constructions with a low carbon footprint.

Reducing the carbon footprint of our products and constructions

The cement industry generates around 5% of the world's CO2 emissions. Since 2001, Lafarge, along with WWF, has committed to reducing the emissions from its Cement business using 3 levers:

improving the performance of its kilns,
substituting some of the clinker (cooked limestone) with industrial residues (fly ash and slag),
controlled use of alternative fuels (industrial, household or plant waste).

Lafarge is also developing construction systems and solutions using the LCA method, which will reduce constructions' carbon footprint at every stage in their lifecycle. To do this, the Group is stepping up its research and drawing on a range of partnerships for inspiration.

Carbon Assessment

At the end of 2010, the independent French organization, ADEME (the Environment and Energy Management Agency), published a methodological guide comparing the carbon assessment of various construction systems for equivalent low-energy buildings (LEBs). The study revealed that, contrary to common perception, wood and concrete have the same comparable CO2 rating per m2 for an individual LEB!

The methodological guide (P.D.F - 1348 Kb)

Lafarge glossary

LCA, sustainable construction, fly ash, slag, clinker, industrial ecology, CO2, additives, granular stacking, etc. See the glossary for all definitions of technical terms.

Glossary

For energy efficiency
	Alain Vassal, sustainable construction director, Bouygues Construction: "The major challenge of sustainable construction is not only the energy efficiency of buildings. It is also the reduction of emissions during the manufacturing of concrete. Bouygues Construction and Lafarge are working on a joint project to develop low-carbon concretes."

Our solutions for improving CO2 performance
	Research programs, innovation, value-added products - Lafarge offers efficient solutions and is already working on developing those of tomorrow.

Testimonial 1 : Reduce carbon footprint of our cements

By increasingly substituting clinker (the basic component of cement which requires physicochemical transformation at high temperatures) with naturally or industrially sourced cement additives, or by improving its reactivity, Lafarge has developed less carbon-intensive cements.

Testimonial 2 : Research and innovation: Aether, micro-algae and partnerships…

The Group is focusing a major part of its research on breakthrough technologies relating to the chemical modification of cement as well as the capture and storage of CO2. This has led to 2 main projects being carried out in this direction:

The Aether Project involves the development of a new class of clinker with a reduced carbon footprint. Less limestone is used in the production of Aether cements whose manufacture requires less energy than a traditional Portland cement and releases up to 30% less CO2.

Cultivating micro-algae absorbs the CO2 released during the cement industrial production process and enables their biomass reuse as a biofuel.

Research focuses

Testimonial 3 : Duraclime™: an asphalt coming from the cold

Designed and developed in North America, Duraclime™ is economical in energy. Its special composition (specific additives and bonding agents) means it can be produced at lower temperatures than traditional asphalt. Less energy is consumed to heat the product. Less greenhouse gases are released and there are no unpleasant fumes.
Another advantage is that the particular viscosity of Duraclime™ allows a higher proportion of recycled aggregates to be added and makes the roads and sidewalks produced using it exceptionally hard-wearing.

Testimonial 4 : Extensia®: less material, more resistance

Extensia®, the concrete which eliminates the need for joints

Extensia® concrete is specially designed for laying slabs and industrial floors subject to heavy loads due to traffic or storage. It avoids the need for joints, which are costly and unattractive on large surfaces (up to 400m²) and therefore reduces the risk of cracking.
Extensia® has numerous benefits:

use of thinner slabs,
no need for steel reinforcement,

saves energy during its implementation,
resistance to surface abrasion (which avoids the requirement for a protective render and reduces maintenance work).

Testimonial 5 : United Kingdom: optimized delivery

In the UK, Lafarge uses real-time tracking software to monitor its trucks. This is an effective way of improving its delivery system, better satisfying its customers and optimizing journeys. Systems like these help to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
The Gypsum Business, which has just entirely redesigned its logistics chain to improve its cost effectiveness, has also decided to try out a new type of truck. These are more aerodynamic and so also help to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
In both cases, the environmental footprint is reduced and customers enjoy better service.