Barriers to decarbonize Cement Manufacturing Industries of Bangladesh using ISM Method
Date
2025-10-25
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering(MPE), Islamic University of Technology(IUT), Board Bazar, Gazipur-1704, Bangladesh
Abstract
The cement industry in Bangladesh is both a cornerstone of national development and a
significant contributor to CO₂ emissions. Decarbonization of this sector is therefore critical but
faces multiple interrelated barriers. The aim of this study is to do the identification, prioritize,
and analyze the key obstacles hindering low-carbon emission in the Bangladeshi cement
industry. A set of 27 barriers was initially determined through a comprehensive literature
review. To contextualize these within the Bangladeshi industry, survey data were collected
from 36 cement manufacturing companies, covering approximately 79% of national cement
production capacity. Respondents rated each barrier on a five-point Likert scale, and based on
average scores, the top 13 most significant barriers were selected for further analysis.
The Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) approach was applied to establish the hierarchical
relationships among these barriers, while MICMAC analysis was used to classify them
according to their driving and dependence power. The ISM results revealed that barriers such
as the limited availability of alternative fuels, lack of viable low-carbon alternatives, and
integration challenges with existing systems emerged at the top level, reflecting visible
challenges faced by firms. However, these were found to be dependent on deeper systemic
issues including policy gaps, insufficient government support, bureaucratic hurdles, lack of
financial incentives, and uncertain return on investment. MICMAC analysis further highlighted
these policy and financial barriers as linkage variables, demonstrating both strong driving and
dependence power, while technological and market barriers emerged as outcomes.
The findings underscore that achieving meaningful decarbonization in Bangladesh’s cement
sector requires addressing systemic policy and financial constraints before technological and
operational barriers can be effectively resolved. The study contributes a structured roadmap for
policymakers and industry stakeholders, enabling targeted interventions for sustainable cement
production.
Description
Supervised by
Dr. Md. Anayet Ullah Patwari,
Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering(MPE),
Islamic University of Technology (IUT)
Board Bazar, Gazipur-1704, Bangladesh
This thesis is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Industrial and Production Engineering, 2025
Keywords
Citation
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