Cement industry decarbonisation is becoming increasingly crucial. The cement industry, which accounts for around 7–8% of global greenhouse gas emissions—roughly 2.6 gigatonnes annually—has long been considered one of the toughest sectors to decarbonise. This is primarily due to the high-temperature requirements (over 1,400°C) and clinker production, which inherently releases carbon dioxide from limestone, contributing over half the emissions from cement.
Compounding the issue, cement demand is projected to rise, especially in the Global South, making sustainable transformation all the more urgent.
However, recent years have seen a wave of innovation and investment. According to venture capital firm 2150, which focuses on sustainable built environments, the number of low-carbon concrete companies has grown significantly since 2020. Co-founder Christian Hernandez noted over 60 players now operating in this space, supported by increasing capital to scale new technologies.
Industry Giants and Net-Zero Goals
Major cement producers like Holcim and Heidelberg Materials have committed to net-zero targets, acknowledging cement’s vast contribution to emissions. On the demand side, smart designs, reuse of concrete, and extending building lifespans can together slash emissions by around 22%.
One powerful alternative is constructing buildings from engineered wood instead of concrete. For instance, LEKO Labs uses AI and robotics to design wood lattice structures, replacing both concrete and steel—drastically cutting embedded carbon.
Innovations Leading the Charge
Companies such as Heimdal and SeaChange are working on carbon-negative limestone from seawater CO₂, while others like Rondo and Antora utilize thermal energy storage to promote renewables in cement production. Bio-cement alternatives from Biomason and Prometheus Materials are also gaining traction.
In terms of reducing process emissions, replacing clinker with Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) like fly ash and blast-furnace slag is a promising route. However, their long-term availability is in question as coal and steel emissions decline.
Fuel Alternatives and the Role of CCUS
Alternative fuels—such as agricultural waste, used tires, and biomass—are increasingly being used, with Europe’s cement kilns running on up to 60% alternative fuel. Still, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) remains essential to reaching deeper cuts. Yet, CCUS is capital-intensive, and the infrastructure needed for storage and logistics is not fully developed.
Some solutions, like CarbonCure’s carbon injection into concrete, both sequester CO₂ and improve strength, potentially reducing emissions by 3–5%.
UK-based Mission Zero Technologies is also innovating with Direct Air Capture (DAC) to create limestone substitutes and recarbonated aggregates from waste concrete.
Digital Tools and Global Coordination
Digital technologies, including AI-based optimization, are already reducing emissions. For instance, Carbon Re’s AI tools, in collaboration with ABB, cut fuel use by 4% and emissions by 2% at a Heidelberg plant in Czechia.
Adoption of such technologies is growing rapidly, driven by competition and efficiency gains, notes Bodil Recke of ABB.
However, industry experts like Rachel Howard of the Mission Possible Partnership stress the need for collaborations across the value chain, government support, and state-backed infrastructure, such as Norway’s Longship Project, which includes the world’s first cement plant with CCS at Heidelberg’s Brevik facility.
The Road to 2050
The long lifespan of cement plants means that the next investment cycle could determine emissions until 2050. Therefore, scaling up innovation, incentivising green procurement from government and renewable developers, and securing early buyers for low-carbon cement will be key to creating a low-carbon future for one of the world’s most essential but polluting industries.
