Norwegian technology company Cemonite has introduced a breakthrough in the construction sector with its innovative green concrete, aimed at mitigating the carbon emissions associated with traditional cement production, as reported by Reuters. This new concrete formulation significantly lowers environmental impact by circumventing Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), which typically contributes up to 90% of concrete’s carbon footprint. Instead, Cemonite utilizes abundant tailings, residual waste materials left over from titanium dioxide mining, in its production process.
Cemonite’s approach reduces reliance on energy-intensive limestone calcination and addresses the environmental challenge of managing tailings, simultaneously offering a sustainable solution to two major industry concerns. The company has launched its first factory to scale production after successful pilot projects and rigorous industry testing.
The significance of Cemonite’s green concrete extends beyond environmental benefits. The cement industry, responsible for approximately 7% of global CO2 emissions, faces increasing pressure to decarbonize as infrastructure demand rises, particularly in developing regions. Despite efforts by a few leading cement companies to adopt alternative fuels and raw materials, such as Heidelberg Materials exploring these avenues, widespread adoption of cost-effective and mature decarbonization technologies remains crucial.
In addition to Cemonite’s innovation, other technological advancements like geopolymer cement, which utilizes waste materials such as fly ash and metal slag, and calcined clay are emerging as viable alternatives to OPC. Moreover, to further reduce carbon emissions in the industry repurposing demolition waste for new construction projects and optimizing concrete specifications and ordering practices are cited as effective strategies.
Cemonite’s green concrete meets infrastructure demands responsibly while meeting global climate goals as the construction sector continues to seek sustainable solutions…LEARN MORE
