Policy & Regulation

Ceramics industry and the transition to a Circular Economy

The EU ceramic industry represents an annual production value of around €30 billion. 30% of its production is sold outside the EU market. Ceramic products can be reused, recycled or recovered after their end-of-life. The European ceramic industry welcomes the Circular Economy Action Plan adopted by the European Commission on 11 March 2020. It highlights that circularity is one of the key drivers to achieve a carbon-neutral economy. The ceramic industry is showing innovative solutions to add to the circular economy in Europe, regulatory and technical barriers still exist to scale up current initiatives or to start new ones. C The EU Emissions Trading System covers over 1200 ceramic installations, representing around 10% of the total number of installations, represents about 10% and 1% of industrial emissions. Most ceramic sectors are energy-intensive, as energy can account for up to 30% of their total production costs. And the ceramic industry contributes to the transition from a circular economy by being project partner of RETROED.

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EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM: sustainable industrial recovery plan
Policy & Regulation

EUROPEAN ALUMINIUM: sustainable industrial recovery plan

2019 data show primary production in Europe is flat, despite a growing demand for aluminium products. This is due to tensions on the aluminium supply chain caused by trade issues at global level and high energy prices. There are 15 smelters in the EU,.

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CEMBUREAU’s roadmap towards #Cement2050 – a Carbon Neutrality Roadmap
Policy & Regulation

CEMBUREAU’s roadmap towards #Cement2050 – a Carbon Neutrality Roadmap

The European Cement Association published its Carbon Neutrality Roadmap. Roadmap sets out the cement industry's ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2050. By 2030, CEMBUREAU aspires to be in line with the Paris Agreements two.

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Reducing emission from cement and steel manufacturing
Policy & Regulation

Reducing emission from cement and steel manufacturing

Electricity is versatile in terms of its potential uses, but some industrial processes will be difficult to decarbonise. Cement, steel and plastics manufacturing, in particular, pose major challenges. Emissions from cement manufacture could be reduced by as much as.

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Green groups outline their priorities to make Europe’s industry a global leader
Policy & Regulation

Green groups outline their priorities to make Europe’s industry a global leader

Green groups have outlined their priorities to make Europes industry a global leader. A clean and responsible industry must be Europes answer to covid-19 crisis. renewable energy sector alone today employs around 1.2 million people in the EU.

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Reflections on the recent 2020 EEFIG plenary
Policy & Regulation

Reflections on the recent 2020 EEFIG plenary

The Energy Efficiency Financial Institutions Group (EEFIG) held its annual plenary session in Brussels. EEFIG was established in 2013 by the European Commission Directorate-General for Energy (DG Energy) and the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP.

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How Energy Efficiency and Renewables will benefit from COVID-19
Policy & Regulation

How Energy Efficiency and Renewables will benefit from COVID-19

Since 1900 only three events had a greater impact on global energy demand than COVID-19: the Spanish flu, the Great Depression and World War II. Can we already predict the near and/or long term impact? Likely not. But we need.

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Central banks need to prepare for climate change
Policy & Regulation

Central banks need to prepare for climate change

There is mounting evidence that climate change and environmental degradation pose an existential threat. Climate change drives policy-makers into a state of self-examination, says Andrew Hammond. He asks: Is the hallowed principle of ‘market neutrality still relevant in light.

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Chemical Industry could go totally carbon neutral
Policy & Regulation

Chemical Industry could go totally carbon neutral

Switzerlands Federal Council has decided that the country should become carbon-neutral by 2050. This may be challenging as far as car traffic and the entire power sector are concerned. A switch of this kind will be more difficult for the chemical industry.

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