The UK has launched the world’s first zero-emissions cement industrial trial, aptly named Cement 2 Zero, which has secured £6.5m of government funding from UKRI as part of the Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge. The trial aims to advance the decarbonisation efforts of the construction, cement and steel sectors to create net zero industries of the future, helping to meet the net-zero by 2050 initiative.

What Is UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)?

UK Research and Innovation is an independent organisation created in 2018, funded by the UK Government. UKRI is the country’s leading research and innovation organisation with a combined budget of more than £6 billion and consists of the 7 Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England. Its aim is to ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of research and innovation while delivering economic, environmental, social and cultural benefits for the people of the United Kingdom.

What Is The Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge?

The Transforming Foundation Industries Challenge is a government fund designed to accelerate the transformation of foundation industries in the UK. This challenge aims to reduce carbon emissions from heavy industry and develop new technologies that can be deployed at scale. This particular challenge is focused on the zero-emissions cement, steel and construction sectors.

Also Read: Why Is Decarbonising Steel Production So Important?

The Importance Of Zero-Emissions Cement

Cement production is a significant source of CO2 emissions, accounting for around 8% of global CO2 emissions, with more than four billion tonnes of cement produced annually. The Cement 2 Zero project will investigate the technical and commercial aspects of upscaling Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC) production to produce 20 tonnes of the world’s first zero-emissions cement.

The two-year industrial trial will test each stage of the production process and brings together the expertise of the Materials Processing Institute, the University of Cambridge and key supply chain partners, including:

  • Atkins
  • Balfour Beatty
  • CELSA
  • Day Aggregates
  • Tarmac

Once the process has been substantially trialled, developed, and de-risked, industrial-scale melts will follow in CELSA’s EAF in Cardiff. The innovative product will then be used in a live UK construction project.

Advancing Zero-Emissions Cement For A Cleaner Future

If this zero-emissions cement project is successful, Cement 2 Zero will not only further advance the cement, steel, and construction industries but also influence the way that we recycle, construct and maintain our built environment and transport infrastructure. According to Chris McDonald, CEO of the Materials Processing Institute:

“Cement 2 Zero has the potential to make a significant contribution to achieving a zero-carbon society, secure and increase jobs in the UK cement and steel sectors and challenge conventional production processes, creating high-value materials from demolition waste.”

The Zero-emissions cement project is a collaboration across the entire construction supply chain to expand Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC) from the laboratory to its first commercial application. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate an economically viable route to advancing the decarbonisation of the construction industry by eliminating emissions derived from cement production.

Collaborating Across The Entire Construction Supply Chain

Dr Philippa Horton, from the University of Cambridge and creator of the project consortium said that the early laboratory trials have revealed that if utilised in tandem with other innovative technologies, Cambridge Electric Cement could be a major milestone on the journey to achieving zero emissions.

She added that: “The Cement 2 Zero project is an invaluable opportunity to collaborate across the entire construction supply chain, to expand CEC from the laboratory to its first commercial application.”

Through their pioneering research, Dr Philippa Horton, Dr Cyrille Dunant and Professor Julian Allwood from the University of Cambridge have created a revolutionary procedure that converts construction and demolition waste into concrete by utilising an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) – normally used for recycling scrap steel.

Conclusion: Zero-Emissions Cement

Through a zero-emissions cement industrial trial, they are demonstrating how reused concrete can be developed into a Slag Forming addition which has the potential to substitute Portland cement when it is exposed to rapid cooling. Cement 2 Zero strives to reinforce the strength of the supply chain and invigorate greener foundation industries, a fundamental component in all forthcoming infrastructure projects that will nurture economic expansion across the UK.

This project has great promise in developing an economically viable route of achieving zero-emissions cement production with numerous benefits both commercially and environmentally. For more updates on manufacturing, engineering and technology, please read and share our blog or contact us if you need help with a project. With more than 20 years supplying industry-leading steel fabrication services in construction, our staff can manage your project from start to finish.

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