By-products of combustion - what comes after coal?

By-products of combustion - what after coal?

8.04.2025, Poznań, MTP, PCC, level 0, stage 4, 3:00-4:30 pm

Agenda

In the face of the global energy transition, the decommissioning of coal power seems inevitable. Do we understand all the risks involved? Climate policy, increasing CO₂ emissions reduction requirements and the quest for climate neutrality set the goal of decommissioning coal-fired power plants. The previous source of energy not only stably supplied power systems, but also generated byproducts of combustion, including ash, which is a valuable raw material used in numerous industries.

Importance of industrial ash

Coal ash, as a by-product of the combustion process, has been used for years in the construction industry (as an additive to concrete, bricks or ceramic materials), in road construction, as well as in industrial waste recycling issues, among others. Its physicochemical properties make it possible to improve the technological performance of materials, which contributes to the saving of natural resources and the reduction of emissions associated with the production of traditional building materials.

Challenges of phasing out coal

The phasing out of coal-fired power generation brings not only positive environmental aspects, but also economic and technological challenges. In particular, the problem of ash depletion as a secondary raw material becomes important for several reasons:

• Loss of a cheap and available raw material: Ash has previously been an economically attractive additive in many production processes, and its absence may affect production costs and the competitiveness of certain sectors.
• Changing supply chain: Industries that have for years based their processes on the use of ash will have to look for alternative materials or develop new production technologies, which requires both investment and research.
• Impact on a circular economy: The lack of a common by-product that could be used in recycling and material production processes poses challenges to the closed-loop economy model, where maximizing the use of available resources is key.

Purpose of the session and benefits of the discussion

The session “By-products of combustion - what after coal?” aims to:

• Analyze the effects of the decommissioning of coal-fired power generation in terms of ash scarcity and its impact on the construction industry, recycling and research.
• Exchange of experience between experts in the fields of energy, materials technology, legislation and recycling, which will enable the development of new solutions and adaptation strategies.
• Identification of alternatives and innovative solutions: The discussion is expected to stimulate the search for ash substitutes, the development of recycling technologies and the adaptation of production processes to reduce dependence on this raw material.
• Identification of directions for future research and legislative action: As a result of the discussion, it will be possible to make recommendations for supporting innovative solutions and regulations that will facilitate the transition to alternative sources of raw materials.

Importance of an interdisciplinary approach

Due to the complexity of the problem, an interdisciplinary approach combining knowledge from engineering, economics, environmental protection and law is crucial. Only through the cooperation of experts from various fields will it be possible to develop comprehensive strategies that will minimize the negative effects of ash withdrawal from the market and ensure the continuity of production in sectors that have hitherto relied on this raw material.

 

Organizer

NetZero Energy and H2POLAND event.