The cement, steel, textile, paper, and fertilizer sectors are keys to economic development as they provide job opportunities, boost industrialization, spur technological advances, improve workers’ skill levels, and contribute to GDP. These industrial sectors account for more than one-third of global primary energy use and have significant environmental impacts because of the types of fuel and raw materials used.

Decarbonization of these major energy-consuming sectors is needed to meet targets under international agreements such as the 2015 Paris Agreement, UN SDGs, and 2021Glasgow Climate Pact. The use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil is common in these sectors, and thus adopting energy-efficient practices and technologies would benefit stakeholders across value chains. 

This e-course will disseminate information on improving the productivity of these sectors through the adoption of energy-efficient best practices, equipment retrofits, and available technologies.

Course Objectives

The main objectives of this course are to:

• Explain key aspects of major energy-consuming sectors at national level.
• Examine manufacturing processes to enable energy management and benchmarking.
• Outline approaches to identify energy conservation opportunities at plant level.
• Present best operating practices for improving energy productivity.
• Share emerging technological trends to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of manufacturing and operating processes.

Course Modules

This e-learning course will cover energy conservation opportunities and best practices in industry sectors in the following modules:

Module 1: Cement Manufacturing

Cement manufacturing is an energy-intensive process that has recently adopted significant technological advances. Energy in the cement industry comprises 40–50% of total production costs.There are numerous methods and technologies to conserve energy in the cement industry worldwide.

Module 2: Steel Manufacturing

Iron and steel are the largest consumers of energy among all industrial sectors. Energy costs total 30–35% of this sector’s production costs and are emission intensive. There is huge potential for improving energy efficiency in the iron and steel industry despite limitations in the availability and quality of iron ore.

Module 3: Textile Manufacturing 

The rapidly growing textile industry plays a significant role in industrial output and employment generation. This sector also leaves detrimental ecological footprints due to its high energy, water, and chemical consumption, with low energy utilization efficiency.

Module 4: Fertilizer Manufacturing 

The fast-growing world population requires more food, and fertilizers are among the most important elements to ensure sufficient food production. The fertilizer sector is capital, energy, and technology intensive. Therefore, high efficiency levels are essential for its viability.

Module 5: Paper Manufacturing 

The pulp and paper industry accounts for approximately 5–6% of total global industrial energy consumption, and energy use accounts for 20–30% of the cost of paper manufacturing. Most paper mills are long-established enterprises and hence their technologies should be modernized. This module will present and explain best practices for continuous improvement in energy efficiency and environmental performance in paper manufacturing.

Important Notes:

1. Participants who register to take this course and pass the final examination with a score of 70% or higher will be eligible to receive the APO certificate. Please note that the final examination can be taken only once. Therefore, the most appropriate time to take the examination should be chosen carefully. The self-assessment quizzes are for personal evaluation only and are not related to the final examination results.
2. Participants who perform well in this course and receive the APO certificate will be given preference, on a merit basis, for selection to attend follow-up face-to-face multi country APO projects on similar topics, when nominated by their NPOs and if slots are available.
3. Notes 1 and 2 are applicable only to participants from APO member countries. Participants from nonmember countries are welcome to take the course for self-improvement, although they will not have an opportunity to attend the follow-up face-to-face multi country APO projects.
4. Each module is in a prerecorded video format in which the expert delivers presentations by explaining each slide. Participants can access the video by clicking on the link provided under the title of each module.