Sustainability assessment in Cuban cement sector- a methodological approach

Abstract

The search of sustainability is a need for human activities in general. Particularly, cement sector as a significant contributor to climate change has to implement strategies to reduce its environmental impacts. But, effective strategies have to be complemented by adequate methodological techniques to assess, guide and certificate sustainability. Amongst all the techniques developed by the scientific community in recent years, life cycle techniques highlight as one of the most used one due to its integrated and holistic philosophy. In Cuba, a new cement based on a combination of calcined clay and limestone to reduce clinker to 50% (Low Carbon Cement, LC3) is been developed as part of an international collaboration project. The main goal of this research is to assess sustainability of cement sector in Cuba using life cycle techniques such as: Life cycle assessment (environmental-LCA), Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA), Life Cycle Costing (LCC), Economic Life Cycle Assessment (EcLCA). As part of the assessment LC3 is compared with traditional produced cements in Cuba OPC and PPC. Results show that LC3 introduction allows increasing sustainability in cement sector by reducing carbon emissions, energy consumption, costs and reporting positive effects on society.