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Industrial Processes and Solvents sectors
The industrial processes sector and the solvent and other products sector are covered together in this document. These sectors have similarities and each represents a small proportion of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
Industrial processes
Emissions are produced from the chemical transformation of one product to another. For example, the reduction of ironsand in steel production releases carbon dioxide. Emissions from energy used to produce heat in the process are reported within the energy sector. Figure 8 shows emissions from the industrial processes sector by category in 2005.
The main industrial processes producing greenhouse gases in New Zealand are:
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reduction of ironsand in steel production
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oxidisation of anodes in aluminium production
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production of hydrogen
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calcination of limestone for use in cement production
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calcination of limestone for lime
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production of ammonia and urea.
Most greenhouse gas emissions in this sector are carbon dioxide. Small contributions come from hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.
Emissions from industrial processes were 4.3 Mt CO2-e in 2005. This represents 6 per cent of total national emissions, and is 1.0 Mt CO2-e (32 per cent) higher than in 1990 (3.3 Mt CO2-e). The increase is mainly growth in emissions from metal production and consumption of halocarbons (carbon compounds such as hydrofluorocarbons and perfluorocarbons).
Solvent and other product use
Nitrous oxide is the only direct greenhouse gas reported in this sector. Nitrous oxide is mostly used for anaesthesia with a minor amount used in motor sports and in scientific analysis.
The sector is a minor contributor to New Zealand’s total direct greenhouse gas emissions, being responsible for just 0.05 Mt CO2-e. Emissions have increased by 16 per cent since 1990 (0.04 Mt CO2-e).
Other emissions in this sector are indirect greenhouse gases, which are not counted in New Zealand’s total emissions. Indirect greenhouse gas emissions result from evaporation of volatile chemicals when solvent-based products are exposed to air.
