In brief

Cement manufacturing is covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED), which is currently being reviewed by the Commission as part of the European Green Deal.  This Directive specifies how to control emissions from industrial sources other than CO2, through the application of Best Available Techniques (BAT) which are defined in BAT Reference Documents (BREFs). Cement plants operate in accordance with a permit granted by the authorities in the Member States following the principles and provisions of the IED. The reference for setting the permit conditions is the BREF and its BAT conclusions, which describe, in particular, applied techniques, present emissions and consumption levels.

CEMBUREAU takes part in a formal exchange of information expert group organised by the European Commission that meets regularly to review and update BREFs.

Our view

CEMBUREAU believes that the IED and the BREFs are delivering environmental performance across Europe because their approach is:

• Flexible
• Focuses on continuous improvements
• Addresses local environmental issues holistically.

Over the last decades, industrial emissions (e.g. NOx and SO2) in the European cement sector have fallen substantially. This has been achieved through major investments and the application of newly available technologies, such as modern dust filtering devices, closed systems for storing, transporting and dosing the raw materials and fuels, on-line emissions analyzers and process control optimization, selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) or selective catalytic reduction (SCR) for abatement of NOx emissions, wet scrubbers or lime injection systems in case of high SO2 emissions, chlorine by-pass systems, etc.

CEMBUREAU believes that no policy should go beyond Best Available Techniques as applied in the IED. Industry’s improvement in environmental performance has been achieved through efficient implementation of existing EU legislation by Member States and their competent authorities. We welcome the integrated approach of the IED whereby permits are tailored to local circumstances and look at the whole environmental performance of the plant.