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Industrial processes sector and solvents and other product use sector

The industrial processes sector and the solvent and other product use sector are covered together in this overview. These sectors have similarities and each represents a small proportion of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions.

Industrial processes

The industrial processes sector reports emissions from the production of metals, minerals and chemicals and the consumption of halocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride. 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

  • oxidisation of anodes in aluminium production

  • production of hydrogen

  • calcination of limestone for use in cement production

  • calcination of limestone for lime

  • production of ammonia and urea.

Emissions from energy used to produce heat in the process are reported within the energy sector. Figure 10 shows emissions from the industrial processes sector by category in 2006. Most of the greenhouse gas emissions in the industrial processes sector are carbon dioxide (83 per cent). Small contributions come from hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.

Figure 10: Industrial processes sector emissions: 2006

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

Metal production

Emissions from metal production come from the production of iron and steel, ferroalloys, aluminium and magnesium. Metal production contributed 2.9 per cent (2.3 Mt CO2-e) of total emissions in 2006 or 53 per cent of emissions from industrial processes. Emissions have decreased 6 per cent (0.1 Mt CO2-e) from a 1990 level of 2.4 Mt CO2-e.

Consumption of halocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride

Emissions from the consumption of halocarbons in New Zealand are from the use of a wide range of equipment and products from refrigeration systems to aerosols. The consumption of halocarbons contributed 14 per cent of emissions from the industrial processes sector in 2006. There is no known use of halocarbon use in 1990.

Emissions from sulphur hexafluoride consumption are largely from the use of electrical equipment. The consumption of sulphur hexafluoride accounted for 0.3 per cent (0.013 Mt CO2-e) of emissions from industrial processes in 2006. Emissions increased 39.9 per cent (0.004 Mt CO2-e) from the 1990 level of 0.010 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 17 per cent (0.7 Mt CO2-e) of emissions from the industrial processes sector in 2006. This is an increase of 35 per cent (0.2 Mt CO2-e) since the 1990 level of 0.5 Mt CO2-e. The emissions from cement and lime production account for most 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 15 per cent (0.6 Mt CO2-e) of emissions from the industrial processes sector in 2006. This is a 40 per cent (0.2 Mt CO2-e) increase from the 1990 level of 0.4 Mt CO2-e. The production of ammonia was responsible for 61 per cent (0.4 Mt CO2-e) of emissions from the chemical industry in 2006. Emissions increased 39 per cent (0.1 Mt CO2-e) from the 1990 level of 0.3 Mt CO2-e.

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 (less than 0.1 per cent of New Zealand’s total emissions). In 2006, emissions from solvent and other product use were 0.040 Mt CO2-e, a decrease of 3 per cent (0.001 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, printing, metal degreasing and from 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 are not included in New Zealand’s total emissions.