E: Environmental

A key target for us is to lower the clinker factor (A clinker is the element within cement responsible for the majority of its carbon emissions) in cement products to 65% by 2030 and to reduce the group CO2 emissions to less than 338 net kgCO2/ton of cementitious materials. INSEE Cement continues to steer the local construction industry towards meeting international benchmarks by introducing innovative cement solutions especially engineered to address ecological and economical challenges faced with traditional OPC Cement. Thanks to years of research and innovation, INSEE continues to expand on an impressive superior blended and composite cement portfolio, generating some of the lowest carbon footprints currently available in the Sri Lankan cement market. One such shining example is INSEE’s Sanstha Portland Composite Cement, Sri Lanka’s first-ever sustainable cement. Developed and launched in 2022, INSEE Sanstha Portland Composite Cement is a new low-carbon footprint superior blended cement product with a clinker factor below 70%. As a result, it is Sri Lanka’s “greenest” cement.

We are committed to reducing the use of fossil fuels in the manufacturing process. We are also striving to lower the Group’s Specific Electricity Consumption by 10% and ensure at least 20% of electricity consumption is generated from alternative energy sources.

We have expanded the capacity of the Ecocycle operation to increase alternative energy generated through co-processing and have also invested in renewable energy to minimize dependency on non-renewable sources. By expanding our investment in Pyrolysis technology to improve the efficacy of material decomposition process at our Ecocycle operation, we are providing a 100% environment friendly disposal method for other industrial waste such as fabric offcuts, wood waste, paper, cardboard, packaging, and certain plastics as biofuel, replacing 40% of fossil fuel generated energy in cement production. Such alternative sustainable fuels increase INSEE Cement’s Thermal Substitution Rate (TSR), decreases non-renewable fossil fuel usage and contributes to a reduction in the carbon footprint of the cement manufacturing process.

INSEE is taking the following key strategic initiatives to reduce net specific CO2 (scope 1) in cement manufacturing process to help climate impacts: Switching to composite cement (Clinker factor reduction) and increasing alternative fuel usage (TSR increment). It will also optimise the manufacturing process, use environment friendly equipment, and switch to renewable electrical energy sources such as Solar PV in order to reduce net specific CO2 in scope 2

INSEE Cement has demonstrated a strong commitment to biodiversity management and conservation over the years, both on land and sea. Operational licenses are sought from the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau, Central Environmental Authority (CEA) and Provincial Environmental Act (PEA) of Sri Lanka prior to clearing 25 acres of forestland annually for limestone mining, which is carried out in according with Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance of Sri Lanka and the Ramsar Convention framework among other local and international treaties and regulations. INSEE Cement Sri Lanka also follows an extensive approval process including an Environmental Impact Assessment and special biodiversity mapping, with technical support from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A comprehensive biodiversity management plan is followed to minimise the disruption to surrounding ecosystems as a result of our excavation work.

The rehabilitation program includes an animal rescue program carried out by volunteers across the designated quarry area prior to mining. During each process, an average of 2,500 slow-moving and small animals are relocated to safer areas in the immediate environment per annum. Each year, over 700 saplings are planted at former mining sites and regular ecological monitoring of restored mines is undertaken to better evolve the quarry ecosystem. To date, INSEE Cement Sri Lanka has restored and reforested over 87 hectares of the Aruwakkalu Quarry.

We partnered with biodiversity conservation experts from IUCN Sri Lanka and the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) to preserve degraded marine habitats and coral reefs off the coast of Unawatuna, close to the INSEE Cement operation in Galle. The coral reef that was successfully re-propagated through an artificial growth catalyst structure continues to be monitored closely by the team, with 25 coral colonies established along the reef to date. Phase II of the project was implemented in partnership with the Rotaract Club of the University of Moratuwa and the Sri Lanka Navy. This utilised a more progressive coral restoration methodology, where coated steel structures were installed on the coral bed to provide added strength and resilience, leading to a significant enhancement of coastal biodiversity.

INSEE Cement is part of a multi-company Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and landmark collaboration to restore a fully degraded fern-covered 10-hectare patch of land in Halgahawala, Opatha, within the Kanneliya Forest Reserve, a wet lowland rainforest in the Galle district. The project was initiated by the non-profit organization Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) in partnership with the Sri Lanka Forest Department, IUCN Sri Lanka, and 10 selected private sector partners including INSEE Cement with the intention of rehabilitating the land to restore it back to its original state.

Saving water in the workplace benefits both the environment and the bottom line. Smart water use conserves this vital and limited resource, protects the ecosystem around the business, reduces the strain on water treatment and sewage infrastructure, and cuts down energy use and utility costs.

Water leakages, even minor ones, result in waste. To avoid this, we identify and fix leaks in a timely and effective manner. This is also the most practical tip we can give others on how to conserve water in operations. Resistive surveys are constantly carried out to find and fix underground leakages.

Plumbing equipment dramatically affects water usage at the workplace. INSEE Cement is constantly on the lookout for ways to upgrade equipment and adjust operations to achieve greater efficiency. We are also installing low-flow faucets in changing rooms, washrooms, and the canteen.

Reducing water usage is only one part of how businesses can conserve water. Careful stewardship of this resource through capture, reuse and recycling also help. Using grey water that is not contaminated with biological or chemical waste is a great way to get the most value out of every litre. We are also paying more attention to increasing the intake of surface water intake and carrying out rainwater harvesting as a means of reducing ground water use.

We are currently taking a holistic look at the impact of INSEE’s water conservation efforts, through our water footprint analysis. This kind of comprehensive analysis can uncover how we can further reduce water usage in the workplace, from office space to manufacturing facilities.

All sites within Siam City Cement (Lanka) Ltd have been certified ISO14001 with the scope of the current standard ISO14001:2015 version covering major processes i.e., quarry operation, cement production and distribution, inventory management, and office operation and service.