» Roadmap Decarbonisation » Scope 3 - Upstream- and Downstream Processes

Scope 3

Up- and downstream processes

Emissions from Upstream and Downstream Processes

In addition to the CO₂ emissions directly caused by our production processes or the electricity we use, we also consider the emissions generated outside our own operational boundaries as a result of our activities. In 2021, these accounted for around 10% of our total emissions.

When addressing upstream and downstream emissions, we focus on the main contributing factors. These 
include the climate impact associated with the production of the fossil and renewable energy sources we use, as well as the procurement of lime products as traded goods.

Upstream emissions from natural gas and coal use

The extraction, processing and transport of fuels for lime production generate emissions due to energy or fuel requirements. These upstream emissions vary 
depending on the type of fuel and its origin. Natural gas extraction causes the highest emissions, while the provision of wood pellets has relatively low 
emissions. The gradual conversion of our kilns to renewable fuels will also reduce the corresponding upstream emissions.

Purchased lime products

In addition to our own production, we also use and distribute lime and dolomite products from other manufacturers. We work closely with our partners to ensure that they too are decarbonising their production processes, so that the emissions from our purchased products will gradually decrease.

Our partner, who supplies the dolomite lime used in our production, is already investing in the decarbonisation of its processes. In 2025, it will commission a wood dust-fired kiln and reduce the CO₂ emissions required for dolomite production by more than 25%.

Outgoing transport and distribution

We work with external freight forwarders to transport our products. Local raw 
material supply and proximity to our customers contribute significantly to reducing emissions. This avoids long truck transport routes and noticeably reduces CO₂ emissions. Where possible, we deliver large quantities by rail.

The freight forwarders are also already achieving savings by using gas-powered vehicles. In future, emissions are to be further reduced through the increased use of electric vehicles.
We work closely with freight forwarders and customers to test and sustainably 
implement innovative and low-emission transport solutions.

Capital goods

The manufacture and transport of the machinery and equipment generate 
emissions. Where possible and appropriate, we work with our suppliers to develop solutions that reduce emissions.

Business travel

To reduce emissions caused by business travel, we replace face-to-face meetings with online meetings wherever reasonable and possible.
For necessary travel within Germany, we prefer to use rail as our mode of transport and are increasingly relying on electric vehicles in our fleet.

Glossary

FAQ

  • The use of lime is at the beginning of a large number of industrial value chains in Germany and Europe.
  • Regional lime production with high quality standards secures our customers' supply chains and contributes to local value creation.  
  • Supplying our plants with raw materials from our own quarries and our regional proximity to our customers are also important factors in reducing emissions. This avoids long-distance truck transports and reduces CO2 emissions.
    Where possible, we deliver large quantities by rail.

  • In a few applications, lime can be replaced by other less CO2-intensive products, while in others, the amount of lime required can be reduced through process optimisation. Customers are already working on these issues.
  • However, many customers cannot do without lime. That is why we are working to gradually reduce CO2 emissions.

  • The production of quicklime is an energy-intensive process in which, in addition to emissions from the fuels required for this purpose, CO2 is also released from the conversion of natural limestone into quicklime. These process emissions are chemically induced and cannot be reduced at this stage.
  • The production of one tonne of lime emits around one tonne of CO2. Around 30% of this comes from the combustion of fuels and around 70% is released during the conversion of limestone (CaCO3) to quicklime (CaO).  

  • The process CO₂ arised during lime production must be captured and transported for reuse or storage, which requires pipelines and storage facilities. The necessary legal framework must also be created for this purpose.
  • Decarbonisation increases the demand for renewable energy, especially green electricity, but also biomass. A competitive and secure supply of green electricity is crucial for the transformation.
  • In the long term, green hydrogen could be a solution for emissions from fossil fuels. This requires, on the one hand, that sufficient green hydrogen is available at economic conditions and, on the other hand, that a transport infrastructure is established by means of pipelines.
  • The necessary technical renewal requires high investments in new technologies and leads to higher operating costs for companies. These additional costs exceed the savings achieved through reduced emissions, which is why support programmes for investment and research are necessary to maintain the competitiveness of the industry.

This roadmap contains both, concrete projects that can be implemented in the near future and projects that are further in the future for which no concrete plans are yet available. Particularly for future projects, the calculations presented are based in part on initial 
estimates and still contain considerable uncertainties. Assumptions regarding energy and CO₂ costs were made on the basis of current values, which may change significantly in future. Possible projects to promote investment or financing have also not yet been taken into account.

This roadmap therefore initially represents a rough concept that serves as a guideline for the ongoing decarbonisation process. We will regularly review the assumptions and adapt them to new findings. We will further develop and, if necessary, adapt technically feasible projects.

However, the roadmap shows in its initial approach that the decarbonisation of our processes is fundamentally possible. 
A key prerequisite for this will be the provision of sufficient green electricity and the creation of the necessary infrastructure for CO₂ transport and storage – factors over which we have no direct influence.

The energy requirements of each household vary depending on the size of the household, the type of heating and the 
electrical appliances.
However, an average value helps to classify other energy requirements, e.g. in the lime industry.

Energy is used in a household for electricity, heating and hot water.
In a single-family home (approx. 150 m², gas heating, 4 people), this amounts to approx. 30,000-40,000 kWh per year.
In the comparative examples in our roadmap, we have calculated 30,000 kWh per year.