Industrial processes sector and solvents and other product use sector

Industrial processes

The industrial processes sector includes emissions from the production of metals, minerals and chemicals and the consumption of halocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. These emissions are produced from the chemical transformation of one product to another. For example, the reduction of ironsand in steel production releases carbon dioxide. The main industrial processes producing greenhouse gases in New Zealand are:

reduction of ironsand in steel production
oxidation of anodes in aluminium production
production of hydrogen
calcination of limestone for use in cement production
calcination of limestone for lime production
production of ammonia and urea.

The emissions from energy used to produce heat in the processes are reported within the energy sector. Figure 10 provides an indication of the emissions profile for the industrial processes sector in 2007. Most of the greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial processes sector are carbon dioxide (80 per cent). Small contributions come from hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.

Metal production

Emissions from metal production came from the production of iron and steel, ferroalloys, aluminium and magnesium. Metal production contributed 3 per cent (2.3 Mt CO₂-e) of total emissions in 2007 or 49 per cent of the emissions from industrial processes. Emissions had decreased 6 per cent (0.1 Mt CO₂-e) from the 1990 level of 2.4 Mt CO₂-e.

Consumption of halocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride

Emissions from the consumption of halocarbons are from the use of a wide range of equipment and products from refrigeration systems to aerosols. The consumption of halocarbons contributed 18 per cent of emissions from the industrial processes sector in 2007. There was no use of halocarbons in New Zealand in 1990.

Emissions from sulphur hexafluoride consumption are largely from the use of electrical equipment. In 2007, the consumption of sulphur hexafluoride accounted for 0.3 per cent (0.015 Mt CO₂-e) of emissions from industrial processes. In 2007, emissions had increased by 19 per cent (0.002 Mt CO₂-e) from the 1990 level of 0.0123 Mt CO₂-e.

Mineral products

Mineral products includes emissions produced from the chemical transformation in the production of cement and lime, soda ash production and use, asphalt roofing, limestone and dolomite use, road paving with asphalt, and glass production. Mineral products made up 19 per cent (0.9 Mt CO₂-e) of emissions from the industrial processes sector in 2007. This was an increase of 57 per cent (0.3 Mt CO₂-e) over the 1990 level of 0.5 Mt CO₂-e. The emissions from cement and lime production account for the majority of the emissions from mineral products.

Chemical industry

The major chemical processes occurring in New Zealand that fall into this category are the production of ammonia and urea, methanol, hydrogen, superphosphate fertiliser and formaldehyde. The chemical industry accounted for 13 per cent (0.6 Mt CO₂-e) of emissions from the industrial processes sector in 2007. Emissions from this category had increased by 34 per cent (0.2 Mt CO₂-e) from the 1990 level of 0.5 Mt CO₂-e. The production of ammonia was responsible for 60 per cent (0.4 Mt CO₂-e) of emissions from the chemical industry in 2007. This was an increase of 30 per cent (0.1 Mt CO₂-e) from the 1990 level of 0.3 Mt CO₂-e.

Figure 10: New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes

See image at its full size (including text description).

Solvent and other product use

Nitrous oxide is the only direct greenhouse gas reported in the solvent and other product use sector. Nitrous oxide is mostly used for anaesthesia with insignificant amounts used in motor sports and in scientific analysis. Emissions reported from the solvent and other product use sector are insignificant (0.1 per cent of New Zealand’s total emissions). In 2007, emissions from solvent and other product use were 0.043 Mt CO₂-e, an increase of 4 per cent (0.002 Mt CO₂-e) from the 1990 level of 0.042 Mt CO₂-e.

The solvents and other product use sector also reports indirect greenhouse gas emissions from chemical cleaning substances used in dry-cleaning and printing, metal degreasing and the use of paints, lacquers and thinners. Indirect greenhouse gas emissions result from the evaporation of volatile chemicals when solvent-based products are exposed to air.

In accordance with the Climate Change Convention reporting guidelines the indirect greenhouse gases reported in the solvent and other product use sector do not count towards New Zealand’s reported total emissions.

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