TURKICEMENT/Yucelik: We Believe Reducing Clinker Use in Cement Production is a Significant Project

In a statement regarding the "Regulation on the Promotion of Green Cement Usage," Fatih Yücelik, the Chairman of the Board of Türkçimento, expressed, "We are very pleased to be part of any projects that contribute to our presidency's '2053 Net Zero Emission' goal. We believe that the target of reducing clinker usage in cement production is also a highly significant project that will benefit the public."

Yücelik thanked the High Science Council of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change for the "Regulation on the Promotion of Green Cement Usage," which has been meticulously worked on for more than two years and was published in the Official Gazette on March 16, 2024. He noted that the Regulation will limit the clinker/cement ratio to 0.80 for the period of 2025-2029 and to 0.75 from 2030 onwards in public construction projects and cement-containing material procurement tenders.

Yücelik shared his views on the subject: "This will lead to a reduction of approximately 11 million tons of CO2 over ten years and save 1.3 million tons of imported petroleum coke, providing environmental benefits equivalent to about 500 million trees. However, we believe certain points must be especially considered for the project to achieve the targeted success.

Firstly, it should be known that the successful implementation of the restrictions stated in the Regulation and the fulfillment of the targeted environmental benefits are of great importance in terms of its monitoring mechanism. Raising awareness about the implementation principles of the Regulation and establishing transparent monitoring mechanisms will play a key role in actualizing the project.

Moreover, the environmental benefits provided by the use of green cement types must continue to offer technical performance equivalent to traditional Portland cement. For this reason, we believe that increasing the industry's access to alternative raw materials such as fly ash and granulated blast furnace slag will be an important solution strategy in achieving these goals.”

Yücelik pointed out that when examining similar projects around the world, India stands out with a clinker/cement ratio of 0.64, stating, "India has successfully realized production with a low clinker/cement ratio rapidly. It owes this to the legal regulations it enforced to promote the use of fly ash in the cement sector, thereby facilitating the reuse of waste from thermal power plants and encouraging the use of green cement."

He further noted, "Another crucial aspect for the project's success is the need to update the cement and concrete standards that have been in use in our country for many years to align with this new approach and to conduct inspections in the field according to the new standards.

In conclusion, as the Regulation aims to promote the use of green cement in public sectors, we believe it is essential to urgently establish monitoring mechanisms, implement incentives for easier access to alternative raw materials, and update the relevant standards to fully achieve the targeted environmental benefits.”

Fatih Yücelik also emphasized the importance of the private sector acting in accordance with this Regulation and the need for producers to inform consumers about the supply of cement to the private sector, stating, “As producers, we will fulfil our responsibilities in this regard so that the targeted CO2 reduction can be significantly increased.”

In this context, he thanked the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change for taking a leading role in preparing the "Regulation on the Promotion of Green Cement Usage," which will come into effect on January 1, 2025. Yücelik expressed his satisfaction in supporting emission-reducing projects for the public benefit and wished for legal efforts in this scope to continue to expand and for the public-private sector collaboration to be successfully maintained.