sain t-gobain annu al report 2008 annual report

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2008-2010 OBJECTIVE
Saint-Gobain has set a target of reducing landfill waste
at concerned sites by 6% between now and 2010, based on
2007 production output.
Reducing atmospheric emissions
and energy consumption
Direct CO 2 emissions (1)
Reducing carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions, primarily generated
by glass furnaces, is a priority focus of Saint-Gobain’s
environmental policy. In 2008, the Group’s concerned sites
generated 13.5 million tons of CO 2, down 2% from 13.8 million
tons in 2007 based on comparable output and scope
of consolidation. The target is cut emissions by 6% between
now and 2010 based on 2007 output. In all, our sites
generated 14.3 million tons of CO 2 in 2008.
Nonetheless, our CO 2 emissions remain marginal,
representing less than 0.3% of the greenhouse gas emissions
allowances allocated in Europe, i.e. 6.5 million tons of CO 2
generated in the European Union countries participating
in the emissions trading system (2) . For the period 2008-2012,
the EU greenhouse gas emission allowance trading scheme
applies to a total of 83 Group facilities, including 66 glassworks
(one of which is not included in the calculation because
its allowances are still being determined), one Pipe Division
site, nine Gypsum Division sites, six Industrial Mortars
Division sites that manufacture expanded silicates,
and one combined heat and power plant.
Each Division does everything in its power to reduce CO 2
emissions attributable to its operations. At the glassworks,
for example, each ton of cullet used in the melting process
avoids 255 to 300 kg of CO 2 emissions (see above).
The lifecycle analyses are still performed within the Pipe
Division to evaluate the full impact of technological
upgrades carried out at its sites. The Division is also closely
following the Ultra-Low CO 2 Steelmaking (ULCOS) project,
a European Union initiative to identify and develop innovative
methods for reducing greenhouse gas emissions
in the steelmaking industry. Its goal is to halve CO 2
emissions generated by the current primary melting process.
In 2009, Bilan Carbone TM emissions assessments will be
performed for French subsidiaries, creating an assessment
base for the French scope, with the aim of extending
the process to the entire Group.
2008-2010 OBJECTIVE
Saint-Gobain has set a target of reducing its CO 2
emissions at concerned sites by 6% between now
and 2010, based on 2007 output. The Group achieved
a 2% reduction in 2008.
Operational energy consumption
Our energy expenditures last year amounted to €2 billion,
62% of which went to the purchase of fossil fuels.
In 2008, energy use by our concerned sites stood
at 61.1 TWh (3) . Every Group company recognizes
the importance of reducing its energy use.
Glass production is powered primarily by fuel oil and natural
gas. Energy consumption is being steadily reduced
by replacing outdated equipment at the end of its life
with newer, more energy-efficient equipment,
and by enhancing combustion methods and refractory
performance. The use of cullet, i.e., glass that has already
been processed, also helps to save energy. For each 10%
of cullet added to a glass batch, 2.5% to 3% of melting
energy is saved. Around half of the furnaces used
by the Insulation Division are fully electric and we also
frequently use electricity in addition to fossil fuels to aid
in the melting process, accelerate convection currents
in the glass bath and ensure uniform treatment in the furnace.
Elsewhere, electricity is used primarily to supply compressed
air, heat the lehrs and power the cooling fans used in furnace
shells and forming machinery. Centralized management,
speed drive technology and advances in equipment
design have all been instrumental in reducing energy
consumption beyond the melting process.
The Pipe Division uses coke and coal to fire the blast furnaces
and cupola furnaces, but also uses electricity and natural gas.
The Division is focusing on improving energy efficiency
at its plants, developing techniques for injecting oxygen
and carbon-bearing matter into the melting process
and relying more heavily on secondary melting when
the raw materials are available. On acquiring the Xuzhou
facility in China, we opted to launch an extensive project
to modernize the site and improve its performance,
drawing on existing best practices. Major funding was
allocated for the project. At our site in Barra Mansa, Brazil,
iron ore is smelted primarily using eucalyptus charcoal
(biomass) (710 GWh).
The Innovative Materials Sector – High-Performance Materials
has also demonstrated a serious commitment to reducing its
energy consumption and developing innovative energy-saving
solutions such as the plan adopted at its Hoosick Falls site.
(1)
The quantities of CO 2 indicated do not include indirect emissions from road transport, employee travel to and from the workplace, business travel, electricity consumption,
the purchase of steam from external sources, etc. They include both CO 2 generated from fossil fuel combustion and CO 2 resulting from chemical reactions.
(2)
Calculated values.
(3)
For competitive reasons, Saint-Gobain has chosen not to publish data on energy consumption by its various companies during 2008.
Saint-Gobain - 2008 Annual Report