Continual Improvements in Energy Efficiency

Reducing Energy Consumption

The manufacturing of cement is a highly energy-intensive process with energy inputs accounting for over 35% of overall production costs.  To produce one tonne of cement, from the extraction of raw materials, to conversion of the raw materials into cement clinker, through to cement grinding and distribution requires approximately 4.46 gigajoules (GJ) of energy - 3.91 GJ of thermal energy and 0.55 GJ of electrical energy.

Major capital investments in more efficient dry production technology (long dry, precalciner and preheater) made by Canada's cement industry have led to significant improvements in energy efficiency since the 1970s.  Over 30% of Canadian kiln capacity has been brought online since 1980, with only a marginal 3% of production using older, wet technology.

The industry continues to seek improvements in energy efficiency.  The Cement Association of Canada and Natural Resources Canada's Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) are currently completing a comprehensive energy benchmarking study that will guide the industry to further improvements in energy efficiency.