Compliance with EU Green Taxonomy Technical Screening Criteria in the Cement Sector: A Comparative Analysis of Production Routes and Low-Carbon Transition Scenarios

Akar D. S., Doğan B., Apaydın Ö.

EurAsia Waste Management Symposium, Nevşehir, Türkiye, 26 - 28 Ekim 2026, (Yayınlanmadı)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Yayınlanmadı
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Nevşehir
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Türkiye
  • Yıldız Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

The cement industry is a major source of industrial greenhouse gas emissions due to the combined effects of clinker calcination, fossil-fuel combustion, and electricity consumption. This study evaluates the compliance potential of the cement sector with the technical screening criteria of the European Union (EU) Taxonomy and examines how energy and raw-material transition strategies can reduce emission intensity. A qualitative document-analysis and comparative-assessment approach was applied using the EU Taxonomy framework, Joint Research Centre reports, IPCC methodologies, GHG Protocol standards, BAT/BREF documents, and sustainability disclosures of Türk Çimento, Çimsa, and Akçansa. The assessment considered the Taxonomy thresholds of 0,722 tCO2e/t grey clinker and 0,469 tCO2e/t cement, while process-related, fuel- related, and electricity-related emissions were evaluated separately. The findings show that calcination-related process emissions represent the dominant source, accounting for approximately 60% of total cement-sector carbon emissions; therefore, energy substitution and efficiency measures alone are insufficient to achieve deep decarbonization. Among the transition options examined, clinker-ratio reduction and the use of supplementary cementitious materials provide the strongest potential for directly lowering process emissions, while alternative fuels, waste-heat recovery, efficient kiln and grinding systems, and renewable electricity support additional reductions. LC3 technology presents particular potential for low-clinker production, whereas Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is critical for addressing residual process emissions in the long term. The Çimsa and Akçansa cases indicate continued progress in alternative fuels, energy efficiency, and sustainability reporting, but stronger integration of low-clinker products, renewable energy, and CCUS is required to improve Taxonomy alignment potential.