On Feb. 19^th, Mr. Sporton, CEO of Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) visited China Concrete and Cement-based Products Association (CCPA) together with Mr. McKnight, Chairman of CRH Global Cement Council, and Mrs. Lu Huijuan, CRH Vice President. Mr. Xu Yongmo, Executive President of CCPA attended the meeting with Mr. Zeng Qingdong, Secretary General, Mrs. Shen Bing, Deputy Secretary and Dr. Chen Yu, advisor of Science and Technology Department, and Mr. Chen Long, advisor of International Cooperation Department of CCPA.

As Mr. Sporton introduced, GCCA was established in August 2018, with headquarter based in London. In January 2019, Cement Sustainability Initiative was officially transferred from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to GCCA, which continues to strive for the sustainability, green production and technology innovation of global cement and concrete industry. 

Currently GCCA has 32 mega clinker producers as formal members all over the world, covering about 35% of the global clinker production. Meanwhile, GCCA has 9 international associations in cement and concrete industry as affiliate members including Portland Cement Association (USA) and CEMBUREAU (the European Cement Association), etc. GCCA wishes to invite more global cement and concrete enterprises to join in so as to cover 50% of the total cement production by the end of 2019. GCCA is aiming to overturn the negative image of cement industry and focus on the outstanding performance and sustainability of concrete. As a legitimate global association, GCCA wishes to represent the cement and concrete industry and deliver one voice concerning the key issues concerning the industry, production and value chain.

Mr. Sporton said concrete is subjected to carbonation continuously and absorbs CO2 during its whole life cycle. According to the recent research, concrete in 100 years could absorb about 40% of CO2 produced during cement production. However, there is no reliable calculation to determine how much CO2 be absorbed in concrete. As a result, the society does not have a clear idea about the re-absorption of CO2 by or sustainability of concrete. Mr. Sporton wishes to make research and investigation with the help of CCPA on the sustainability of concrete in China.

President Xu stated welcome to GCCA visiting and introduced CCPA to the guests. He said guided and directed by the government, CCPA agrees to deliver one voice of sustainability, especially under the current circumstance that the country supports and encourages the green development and internalization of all sectors. CCPA has always been dedicated to promote the sustainable development in concrete and cement-based product sector. In China, utilization of solid wastes is not a research topic, instead it is a solid practice. The enterprises are required not only to utilize solid wastes but also to find high-value application of them. Concrete industry in China has entered a new era of innovation; therefore the sector needs to utilize massive solid waste in response to national policies. For example, cement enterprises shall co-process the industry and urban waste during production. At the same time, as humans continue to explore the activity zone, much higher demands have been put on constructions and infrastructures, such as the buildings are getting higher and stronger, yet the foundations are getting deeper. Balancing the two requires the associations to promote technology innovation and the application of new technology, products and equipments by implementing association standards, making policy research and providing specialized services. At the same time, CCPA has been ready for the international development of the sector and is happy to help GCCA to spread its ideology in China.

Mr. McKnight said same as China, cement manufacturers in Europe has confronted challenges in their development. European cement factories have co-processed solid wastes for years; nowadays there is no fuel consumption of any kind and the cement could co-process more than 20 types of solid wastes without any residue, even to get the point of carbon neutral.

Mr. Sporton said clinker producers who wish to join GCCA are required to sign “Sustainability Charter” which depicts five key pillars which encompass the sustainability spectrum of the cement and concrete sector, including health and safety, climate change and energy, social responsibility, environment and nature, and circular economy. GCCA welcome CCPA to participate in GCCA’s activity as an affiliate member.

At the end, both associations agreed to promote the green image and lever the social status of the cement and concrete sector through cooperation in the sustainability, technology innovation and international communication.