Manufacture of Cement
Production of cement clinker, grey cement, white cement, and alternative binder systems with specific CO2 emission thresholds.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Mitigation
The specific GHG emissions from clinker production must not exceed 0.722 tCO2e per tonne of clinker (Scope 1 and 2). For grey cement, the specific emissions must not exceed 0.469 tCO2e per tonne of cement. These thresholds represent the top 10% performance benchmark in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).
Emissions must be calculated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/331 (free allocation rules) and verified by an accredited verifier. The boundary covers all direct emissions from raw material calcination, fuel combustion in kilns, and indirect emissions from electricity consumption. Alternative fuels (biomass, waste-derived fuels) and supplementary cementitious materials (fly ash, slag, calcined clay) may be used to reduce the clinker-to-cement ratio and achieve the emission thresholds.
BAT as defined in the Cement, Lime and Magnesium Oxide BREF (2013) must be applied, including dry-process kilns with multistage preheating and precalcination, waste heat recovery, and process optimisation. Plants must hold a valid EU ETS installation permit.
Substantial Contribution to Climate Change Adaptation
A CRVA in accordance with Appendix A must be performed, assessing climate risks to the cement plant under RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios over its remaining operational lifetime.
DNSH: Climate Change Adaptation
Physical climate risks must be identified and managed, particularly water scarcity risks affecting cooling and process water, extreme heat impacting kiln operations, and flooding risks to raw material storage.
DNSH: Water and Marine Resources
The activity must comply with the Water Framework Directive. Process water and cooling water discharge must meet BAT-AELs as defined in the CLM BREF. Stormwater runoff from raw material stockpiles must be managed to prevent contamination of water bodies.
DNSH: Circular Economy
Co-processing of waste materials as alternative fuels and raw materials must follow the waste hierarchy. Cement kiln dust must be recycled where feasible. Concrete demolition waste must be considered as a supplementary raw material source.
DNSH: Pollution Prevention and Control
The activity must comply with the Industrial Emissions Directive and CLM BREF BAT conclusions. Dust emissions must not exceed 10 mg/Nm3 (BAT-AEL for kiln stack). NOx emissions must remain below 200 mg/Nm3 (using SNCR) or 100 mg/Nm3 (using SCR). SO2 emissions must remain below 50 mg/Nm3. Mercury emissions must not exceed 0.05 mg/Nm3. Dioxin and furan emissions must remain below 0.05-0.1 ng I-TEQ/Nm3.