CEMENT AND
CLIMATE

Known for centuries, cement is the core of the whole building materials value chain and the second most widely used material in the world after water. It is used in almost every building material one can imagine – from ready-mix concrete and dry mixes, mortars and finishing materials to paving stones, wells, and other concrete products. It is part of piles, building foundations, and walls. It makes our roads, houses and cities stand strong and last for centuries.

Production of cement is complex and resourceful process, requiring high energy and heat consumption. Its main raw material limestone is extracted in the quarry and then burned in high temperature rotary kiln together with clay, iron oxide and sand, producing clinker.
It is later milled in huge mills together with specific additives to produce cement. This complicated process makes cement production as one of the most emission intensive industries globally. As largest part of emissions is bound into the limestone and released during its burning process, it is extremely difficult to avoid CO₂ emissions.

Therefore, cement production is among those considered to be a hard-to abate industry and for its decarbonization radically innovate approach is needed.