Decarbonisation to 2050

The 2020s

Decarbonisation in the 2020s is predominantly through technologies that already exist and the biggest direct contributor will be energy-efficiency (through significant investment in sites and other incremental improvements to the manufacturing process). Indirect emission reductions - decarbonisation of electricity - will be delivered directly by companies such as through solar / wind power generation, and indirectly by power generators decarbonising the grid.

Emerging fuel switching options (hydrogen and larger-scale electrification) may begin to contribute, and some growing use of bio-energy, although in the case of hydrogen it is perceived could be specific instances / areas where supplies are available in the 2020s (closer to key infrastructure or through consortium hydrogen projects). In addressing process emissions, adaptation of products will play an important role.

The 2030s

Efficiency measures are expected to continue to roll-out; although with alternative energy sources for firing beginning to have a bigger role. The biggest contributor to direct emissions reduction would be expected through continued roll-out of hydrogen supplies. Decarbonisation of the electricity network would be complete in this decade, supplemented by on-site power generation by companies. Product adaptation will continue and carbon capture, although contributing a small amount in this decade, could progressively develop, providing the technology and its viability, available implementation support and infrastructure allows.

The 2040s

Focus by now will firmly be on the broader adoption of hydrogen across the ceramic sector, the biggest contributor to emissions reduction by virtue of its use at sites with more tangible fuel emissions. Electrification is projected to increase drastically, but predominantly at smaller-scale sites where (although still challenging due its commercial viability) it is likely to be more-viable. Carbon capture (by then expected to be a more-mature technology for industrial applications) is expected could play a bigger role, particularly in tackling process emissions (carbon released from the clays and additives); although even then it is only likely to potentially be viable at a few, larger emission sites in the sector.

Residual Emissions

Individual companies / sites in the sector each have their own decarbonisation plans, and for whom achieving ‘net zero’ emissions may be plausible. Nevertheless, we want to be transparent in what we see as being the overall deliverability in sector decarbonisation which it can attain directly.

Even with decarbonised electricity, ambitious energy-efficiency, low-carbon fuel-switching for all sites, and carbon capture for whom it could be more-viable, our modelling demonstrates that achieving ‘net zero’ ceramic manufacturing will not be directly attainable. For sectors like UK ceramics, Government’s broader policy-making must utilise additional tools / measures, including:

  • Carbon offsetting mechanisms and schemes (carried out by companies directly/indirectly)

  • Recognising carbon neutrality across the value-chain over product lifecycle.

Whilst decarbonising ceramic manufacturing (and mitigating residual emissions) are a focus, consideration should also be given to the operational use of a product (beyond the factory gate); including their lifespan, downstream emission savings, requiring minimal maintenance and with a high resistance to challenging environmental conditions.