Tuff Processing in Iceland
Heidelberg intends to build a factory and port in Iceland and start producing ground tuff for export and as an additive to cement, with the aim of significantly reducing the carbon footprint of cement production.
The operation will create around 80 well-paid jobs and up to 80 indirect jobs, considerable income for the municipality which the factory will be built in the form of property taxes, street construction fees, and local taxes, and the municipality will also acquire the port that will be constructed.
Why is this being done?
The project is essentially a massive climate project. It is estimated that up to 8% of global human-induced carbon emissions can be traced to the cement industry. Concrete, which includes cement among other components, is the most common building material in the world and is essential for all major buildings and infrastructure projects. By mixing volcanic tuff with cement, carbon dioxide emissions in the cement industry can be reduced by up to 20-25%. The project in Þorlákshöfn contributes to this effort and to Heidelberg Materials’ plans to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of its cement production. Producing and processing cement with renewable energy in Iceland would reduce the climate impact of cement production to an unprecedented extent in the industry. In this way, an important industry would be brought closer to sustainable production. With production in Þorlákshöfn, it is estimated that carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by over 1 million tons per year – which is more than the entire fleet of cars in Iceland emits annually.
Is there pollution from the operations?
Detailed research has been conducted on the effects of the operations on air quality, potential dust pollution, noise pollution, and vibration. According to the findings, there are no significant issues with dust, noise, or odor pollution from the operations. This is supported by the Planning Agency’s environmental assessment report, which indicates that the primary environmental impact is the visual appearance of the structures. Furthermore, the overall operations of the planned companies in the area are expected to cause considerable cumulative effects on groundwater usage and traffic to and from the area. The carbon footprint of the factory will mainly result from vehicle and shipping transportation.
What is Heidelberg Materials?
Heidelberg Materials is one of the largest manufacturers of construction materials in the world, and the company’s products are used in the construction of houses, roads and commercial and industrial structures. Originally German, the company is now multinational with operations in many countries. It is also the majority shareholder in Hornsteinn, an Icelandic holding company, which owns and operates three subsidiaries, all of which have a long history in Iceland; BM Vallá, Sementsverksmiðjan and Björgun.
Why does Heidelberg have these plans?
Heidelberg’s goal is to become a global leader in sustainable building materials. The cement industry is responsible for 6-8% of global anthropogenic carbon emissions. Because of this, one of Heidelberg Materials’ main goals is to reduce its carbon footprint and the negative impact of cement production. The project at Þorlákshöfn is part of the company’s plan to significantly reduce carbon emissions in the construction industry and thus bring an important industry closer to sustainable production. The use of tuff in cement production and its processing with renewable energy in Iceland would reduce the climate impact of cement production to an extent unprecedented in the industry.
How much is the carbon footprint of cement production reduced by using tuff in production?
It is estimated that the carbon footprint will be reduced by 20-25%. That is a medium goal, but an even higher replacement rate is aimed for, which requires further product development and the introduction of new products. Every step towards a lower carbon footprint of cement is a step in the right direction. A reduction of 20-25% is a good step forward, and with continued research and increased use of the material, a higher replacement rate may become a possibility.
Is cement necessary for the construction industry?
Cement production is and will be important to the modern construction industry for years to come. It is likely that in the future it will be possible to use more other materials in some branches of the construction industry, but cement is absolutely necessary in various structures and will be so for many years to come.
Has ground tuff already been used in cement production?
Tuff, a natural pozzolanic material (volcanic material), has long been used as an admixture in cement production. The material is already part of the European cement standard EN 197-1.
Where will the ground tuff be taken?
Primarily to destinations in Northern Europe, to Norway and Sweden, but possibly also to Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Great Britain and/or Germany.
How will the municipality and the state receive income from the project?
The town receives income through taxes and fees from the activity as well as the project, which creates between 60-80 new jobs as well as secondary jobs. That can lead to an increase in the number of inhabitants in the town, which would mean increased income, e.g. through local government. Taxes and fees will of course be paid to the Icelandic state as required by law and regulations.
What is Hornstein’s connection to the project?
Heidelberg Materials in Iceland and Hornsteinn are sister companies that both operate in Iceland. Heidelberg Materials is the sole owner of HPM and the majority owner of Hornsteinn. Hornstein’s CEO, Þorsteinn Víglundsson, has worked with Heidelberg Materials on the project and has been its advocate in Iceland.
Will there be pollution from the tuff processing?
Tuff mining is not inherently polluting. The processing takes place by grinding material that is found naturally in the town’s environment. The processing itself takes place in a closed space so that there will be no danger of fumes. The factory’s buildings have a visual impact, but otherwise the activities will not have noise or odor pollution or other negative side effects on the daily life of the townspeople.
How and how many jobs will follow the activity?
It is estimated that around 60-80 jobs will be created at the factory when it is fully operational. The jobs are of various types and include, among other things, in equipment control, engineering, electrical engineering and general management. There are also countless other secondary jobs that are created due to the purchase of various services related to the operation.