Seoul National University of Science and Technology Announces Research Results on 'Analysis of National Economic Contribution Effects of Waste Recycling in the Cement Industry'
Approximately 11% of the 2019 National Household Waste Management Budget of 4.6469 Trillion Won
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] As the use of disposable containers has surged recently due to COVID-19, exacerbating the environmental issues caused by plastic waste, the role of the cement industry in addressing these problems is becoming increasingly important. It has been found that the national economic benefits from recycling circular resources in the cement industry amount to 503.1 billion KRW annually.
On the 16th, Professor Bae Jae-geun's research team at Seoul National University of Science and Technology announced the results of a study titled "Analysis of the National Economic Contribution Effects of Waste Recycling in the Cement Industry."
According to Professor Bae's team, the study revealed that using waste as raw materials and fuel substitutes in the cement manufacturing process can reduce national costs by a total of 5.9945 trillion KRW by minimizing the installation and operation of public waste treatment facilities (incineration, landfill).
Additionally, the study identified economic benefits totaling 503.1 billion KRW (9,936 KRW per Cement-ton), including △ 55.3 billion KRW annually from greenhouse gas emission reductions by substituting natural raw materials and bituminous coal, △ 113.5 billion KRW annually from reduced mining costs of natural minerals (raw materials), and △ 80.3 billion KRW annually from reduced import costs of bituminous coal (fuel).
Economic Contribution of National Economy from Recycling Waste in the Cement Industry. [Table=Korea Cement Association].
This amount represents about 11% of the 4.6469 trillion KRW national budget for municipal waste management in 2019, providing significant support for government budget operations.
The significance of this study lies in being the first to quantify the specific economic effects in monetary terms of substituting recyclable wastes such as waste synthetic resins (waste plastics) and waste tires as raw materials and fuels in the cement industry from a national economic perspective.
Professor Bae's team also investigated the status of waste and byproduct substitution in the cement industry (2019), reporting that 11% of natural raw materials are replaced (by blast furnace slag, coal ash) and 24% of the calorific value of bituminous coal is substituted (by waste synthetic resins, waste tires, etc.).
The research team noted that Germany is currently the most active country globally in recycling within the cement industry. While the waste recycling rates per ton of cement are similar between Korea and Germany at 329 kg and 350 kg respectively, Germany's fuel substitution rate (based on calorific value) is 68.9%, approximately 2.9 times higher than Korea, recycling significantly more combustible waste. They argued that Korea should benchmark the European model, especially Germany's, in the long term.
Professor Bae emphasized, "The cement industry can play a key role in resource circulation, building a circular economy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enabling the establishment of a typical circular model for carbon neutrality pursued by the government. The cement industry is essential for resource circulation. As a representative industry of the circular economy, it should be actively utilized at the national level, using Europe as a model."
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