Forum for the industrial decarbonization of Catalonia

We have been present at the first Industrial Decarbonization Forum in Catalonia, organized by CECOT.

First of all, it should be noted that we must not forget the message transmitted by Francesc Enrich Mata from VETEC, “in no case can industrial competitiveness be lost, we cannot stop providing the products or services that our customers and society demand”.

The idea conveyed by Joan Vila from LC Paper is clear: the best energy is “saving”.

The decarbonization raised from the Forum is focused on;

• Construction savings.
• Savings in the process
• Product savings
• Introduce renewable energy
• Work with suppliers.

Construction savings

It should be noted that this point, within Catalonia, is a fundamental sector. The main points that arise are: the increase in insulation, the use of heat pumps, the use of ventilation equipment with heat recovery (industrial and residential), the optimization of cement, assessing its amortization and the controls and automation with intelligence.

Savings in the process and in the product

However this part is quite difficult to achieve as an application of BAT (Best Available Techniques) and control systems, coupled with continued iteration of product improvement can deliver real savings. This aspect can only be obtained with a real certification.
This will imply that the new equivalent products are imposed, if they show that their emissions are decreasing.

Introduce renewable energy

This aspect can be easily applied in some sectors, but in industry it is more difficult, especially due to the current positioning of gas for thermal energy generation.
Here the use of photovoltaics should be highlighted for the electrified part and the combined use of renewable sources depending on the requirements, for example fuels for low temperatures (biomass) with others for higher temperatures (biomethane). In addition, it is necessary to limit the use of gas due to the maximum requirements while waiting, in the long term, for the introduction of hydrogen.

Work with suppliers

Life cycle analysis is key, not only of our product but also of our suppliers to minimize the CO₂ that affects it and at the same time generate a virtuous circle that leads the entire value chain to align with these goals.

The industrial decarbonization for EVOWALL

From EVOWALL we are very much in agreement with this approach: the best energy is the one that is not spent and, therefore, the approach of a construction system like ours that seeks the minimum energy consumption of the building following the N-Zero energy consumption. Using large insulation, ventilation with recovery, the use of aerothermal units and heat pumps, along with increasing digitization, brings us closer to this saving goal.

And it is clear that a new construction system such as EVOWALL allows continuous improvement in manufacturing that drastically reduces process and product emissions. This, together with the photovoltaic plant that we are currently implementing, will allow us to generate more energy than we consume in 2024.

Finally, the life cycle analysis (LCA) implemented and certified, both in the manufacturing process and in the use of the building in the next 75-100 years, allows us to improve the product, reduce the impact and shows the need to collaborate with suppliers and avoid greenwashing many companies and products.

We are paving the way towards the European objectives of the Green Deal, Europe will take us but also society, since the market will demand it more and more because it is an obligation for the future of the next generations.