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Fri March 29 2024

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More carbon emissions from crisps than cement

9 Apr 10 More carbon emissions are generated making crisps than cement, according to figures from the Carbon Trust.

More carbon emissions are generated making crisps than cement, according to figures from the Carbon Trust.

A typical 34.5g bag of Walkers crisps is responsible for 80g of CO2 – or 2.31kg of CO2 per kg of crisps manufactured.

In contrast, a 25kg bag of Cemex's CEM II cement (Portland plus fly ash) results in 17kg of CO2 emissions – which is equivalent to 0.68kg of CO2 per kg of cement produced.

The Carbon Trust, a not-for-profit organisation which advises businesses on reducing their CO2 emissions, has published details of typical products which have had their 'carbon footprints' measured on its website

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Cemex will be the first construction materials company to use carbon labelling on its UK cement, when it starts using the Carbon Trust’s Carbon Reduction Label later this month.

The firm's carbon labelled cements are being introduced to customers during April and May. As part of the label conditions, Cemex is committed to further carbon reductions over the next two years.

Cemex UK’s director of sustainability, Andy Spencer, said: "The carbon labelling demonstrates the progress and commitment we have made in reducing the carbon associated with our manufacturing process, particularly around the replacement of fossil fuels with alternative waste fuels, and the blending of our cements with by-products from other industries to minimise raw materials use”

A product's carbon footprint is measured by the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases generated from cradle to grave, including the extraction of the raw materials, to manufacturing, distribution, use by customers and disposal at the end of the product's life.

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