Technological Solutions for Fly Ash and Red Mud Upcycling Approach the Vietnam’s Government Target of Net-Zero Carbon by 2050

Abstract

At the Conference of the Parties (COP26) in 2021, over 190 world leaders came together to address climate change. In the remarks at COP26, Vietnam’s Government had committed to the net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050. This can be considered as a critical goal for Vietnam Government to respond to climate change. To achieve the Vietnamese Government’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, the Vietnamese Government needs to focus on low-carbon sustainable development technologies. Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technology solutions can be an appropriate option based on the experience of developed countries. Before COP26, CCUS technologies were not interested in Vietnam because of the expensive investment cost, and no emission targets had been set. However, after COP26, the Vietnam Government has begun to pay attention to advanced technologies which reduce greenhouse gas emission. Accordingly, the Decree 06/2022/ND-CP regulating the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions and the protection of the ozone layer was issued on January 7, 2022. Advanced technologies that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions are encouraged to apply to meet the demand for net-zero carbon by 2050. This study aims to evaluate the possibilities of applying CCUS technology to recycle fly ash and red mud as raw material for low CO2 emission cement production. Thus, CCUS technical solutions in recycling waste of fly ash from the thermal power plants and red mud from bauxite processing plants are proposed. These technical solutions can provide significant support in achieving the overall goal of the Vietnam Government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the net-zero by 2050.