A major report released by ABB Motion and Fraunhofer IPA offers a comprehensive strategy for hard-to-abate industries to achieve net zero emissions.
The study, titled From Challenge to Change, focuses on five key sectors that collectively contribute nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions while providing over 25 per cent of global GDP.
The report comes at a critical time, as the International Energy Agency (IEA) emphasises the need for total emissions to decrease by at least 50 per cent by 2050 to meet climate goals.
It provides practical short- and long-term solutions for businesses in iron and steel, cement, chemicals, mining, and oil and gas industries, which are facing increasing pressure to decarbonise their operations.
Chris Poynter, President of ABB Motion’s System Drives Division, highlighted the strategic business opportunity presented by industrial decarbonisation.
“By adopting electrification, energy-efficient motors and drives, and alternative technologies, industries can reduce emissions while strengthening operational competitiveness,” Poynter stated.
The study identifies readily available solutions for energy efficiency and electrification as immediate steps towards emissions reduction.
One significant opportunity lies in the widespread adoption of electric drives and motors.
Currently, only 23 per cent of the world’s industrial motors are equipped with a drive, yet pairing a drive with an existing motor can typically reduce power consumption by up to 25 per cent.
Dr Markus Kröll, Head of Business Division Circular Economy and Carbon-Neutral Production at Fraunhofer IPA, emphasised the report’s focus on key solutions such as process electrification, heat management, carbon capture, and hydrogen utilisation.
“There is no silver bullet for decarbonisation, but there are readily available solutions,” said Dr Kröll.
“This report should make it easier for business leaders to determine the best path forward.”
The report outlines sector-specific strategies for emissions reduction.
In the oil and gas industry, efforts are intensifying to reduce leaks and electrify processes.
The iron and steel sector is adopting technologies like direct reduced iron and electric arc furnaces.
The chemical industry is exploring low-temperature applications such as heat pumps, while the mining and cement industries are focusing on electrifying a wide range of equipment.
Looking towards long-term solutions, the report highlights the pivotal role of carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and low-carbon hydrogen technologies in achieving a low-carbon future for these hard-to-abate sectors.
As industries worldwide grapple with the challenge of reducing their carbon footprint, this collaborative effort between ABB and Fraunhofer IPA provides a clear roadmap for businesses to drive sustainable change.
The insights from this report not only offer practical solutions for emissions reduction but also underscore the potential for enhancing efficiency and competitiveness in the process.
