The ENORMITY of the Number Three, and why It’s such a big deal today for the US Cement Industry

When it comes to noteworthy numbers, we logically think: the bigger—the more significant. But today, the number three means far more than “just a few” to the U.S. cement industry.

Three years ago today, Portland Cement Association—representing America’s cement manufacturers—launched its Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality, and there are many reasons to celebrate—millions, in fact, when you look at our stats.

As it turns out, when an entire industry pledges to work as one in a bid to reach net zero by a deadline it set for itself, a lot can happen in three years, and the stage has been set for more success in years to come.

Since cement manufacturers started their mission to reach carbon neutrality:

• More than 6 million metric tons of carbon have been avoided since 2021.
• 2023 became the most energy-efficient year for the cement industry.
• 73% of PCA member companies are using alternative and/or renewable fuels in cement production.
• Alternative fuel use rose to a 16% share of the industry’s fuel mix—an all-time high for U.S. cement manufacturing.
• Natural gas’s share of fuel consumption in cement manufacturing is at its highest level since the 1970s.
• More than 60% of cement produced in the U.S. is lower-carbon cement.
• Lower-carbon cements comprised approximately 25% of the cements consumed in the U.S. in 2023, up from less than 5% in 2021.
• Earlier this year, all 50 State Departments of Transportation have approved the use of portland limestone cement, a blended cement that reduces the carbon footprint of projects by some 10%.

Special shoutouts to:

• The U.S. Department of Energy for giving more than $1.2 billion to four PCA member companies earlier this year for carbon reduction efforts, including in the development of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS).  Each company receiving the funding has promised to match it dollar for dollar. 
• And thank you to the Environmental Protection Agency for recently providing $2.5 million to cement manufacturers to boost the quality and quantity of Environmental Product Declarations. This will lead to companies developing more efficient strategies to reach net zero.

What’s needed to keep moving the needle:

• An overhaul of the government permitting process, which is outdated, cumbersome, and prevents cement companies from moving expeditiously to implement innovative decarbonizing initiatives.
• Policymakers who will continue implementing clean energy and industrial decarbonization provisions included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act.Happy Anniversary to us … meaning all of us

The cement and concrete industry facilitates life for the 8.2 billion people sharing our planet. As every single human uses cement and concrete every single day to lead a productive life, it is not only on the cement industry to cut its carbon emissions—it’s on everyone.

We will proudly continue to make progress along the Roadmap, and with the dedicated help of our value chain members, policymakers, and the public, reaching our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 should be as easy as one, two, three!

To learn more about PCA’s efforts to reach carbon neutrality, visit www.cementprogress.com.