Building Better with Low-Carbon Cement: All About Production, Technologies & Outlook  

The cement industry is a central pillar of modern infrastructure and a key area for driving environmental advancements. In particular, traditional cement production, while essential, provides opportunities for reducing carbon emissions. Enter low-carbon cement: an innovation that can help minimize the environmental footprint of construction. 

Carbon emissions from traditional cement production can be reduced through manufacturing processes and new formulations. This guide covers everything you need to know about these types of cement, from their composition to their benefits and future prospects.

What are the characteristics of low-carbon building materials?

So, what exactly makes a material sustainable? Generally, sustainable materials benefit the planet by positively impacting ecosystems, including forests, oceans and their inhabitants, while supporting the well-being of people. Low-carbon building materials can be characterized by:

1. Sustainability: Made from renewable, recycled, or have a minimal environmental impact throughout their life cycle. 
2. Durability: Long-lasting and requiring less maintenance, reducing the need for frequent replacements and conserving resources over time. 
3. Energy Efficiency: Contribute to reduced energy consumption by improving insulation, enhancing building performance, and supporting efficient heating and cooling systems. 
4. Resource-Friendly Production: This can include using renewable energy to power production processes, minimizing waste, and employing sustainable practices such as energy-efficient technologies in the manufacturing process.

These characteristics make low-carbon building materials ideal for sustainable construction projects.

What are lower carbon cements?

These cements are a sustainable alternative that reduces carbon emissions compared to traditional Portland cement. The industry and worldwide governments are working to define terminology, or taxonomy, to have a consistent definition of what a low-carbon cement or concrete is. We are careful to be transparent in what we mean by low carbon cement, such as our ECOPlanet cement which delivers a minimum 30% reduction in global warming potential compared to traditional cement and validated using Environmental Product Declarations.

Cement production can lower carbon emissions in several ways, including the use of alternate raw materials that can reduce the process emissions from calcining, using clinker substitutes and also in using lower carbon biogenic fuels in place of fossil fuels. A circular economy approach, where industrial by-products are used in co-processing or as a replacement for virgin raw materials, reduces the extraction of natural resources in cement production. 

In summary, low-carbon cement reduces CO2 emissions by adopting new formulations, using lower-carbon materials and industrial by-products. It also often requires less energy to produce. 

What materials are used in lower carbon cements?

We can lower the embodied carbon in our products by by incorporating sustainable materials. Key ingredients used in Lafarge's low-carbon cement products (ECOPlanet, OneCem, and TerraCem) include the following: 

Fly Ash 

Fly ash is a byproduct of coal combustion in power plants and is considered a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). It is used in concrete mixes as a partial replacement for higher carbon emitting Portland cement. Fly ash improves the workability and durability of concrete while reducing the overall carbon footprint and reusing an industrial byproduct. 

Slag 

Slag, also known as ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), is a byproduct of the steel manufacturing process. It is also considered a supplementary cementitious material (SCM) and is used to replace a portion of higher carbon-emitting Portland cement in concrete mixes, enhancing durability and reducing the heat of hydration, which lowers the risk of thermal cracking. 

Limestone 

Limestone is a natural mineral used to reduce the clinker content in cement, thereby lowering CO2 emissions per tonne of cement. Finely ground limestone can also improve concrete's early strength and workability. 

Natural Pozzolans 

Natural pozzolans, such as volcanic ash, enhance the properties of green cement. These materials react with calcium hydroxide in the presence of water to form compounds that improve the strength and durability of concrete. 

Recycled Aggregates 

Recycled aggregates are materials such as crushed concrete from demolition projects that are reused in new concrete mixes. This practice reduces the need for virgin aggregates, and cementitious materials and minimizes construction waste. 

Silica Fume 

Silica fume is a byproduct of producing silicon and ferrosilicon alloys. It is a highly reactive pozzolan that, when added to concrete, increases its strength and durability while reducing permeability. 

For more information on sustainable cement options, visit Lafarge Canada's Sustainable Solutions.

What is the future of the market for lower carbon cements? 

The future of the cement market looks promising due to innovations and advancements in the industry. Key trends include: 

• Technological Advancements: Innovations in materials and processes to further reduce carbon footprints. 
• Government Policies: adoption of green procurement strategies that mandate the reduction in the embodied carbon in building and increasing the use of recycled concrete in construction. 
• Market Growth: Rising demand for green buildings and infrastructure projects. 
• Global Adoption: Expansion of green cement technologies in emerging markets. 

The market for lower-carbon cement is expected to grow significantly as industries and governments prioritize sustainability.

Where can lower carbon cement be used? 

Cement is the key ingredient in concrete, which serves as the backbone of modern infrastructure. Therefore, lower-carbon cement can be used to produce lower-carbon concrete, which is used in various applications, including: 

• Residential Construction: For building lower carbon foundations for eco-friendly homes. 
• Commercial Buildings: In green-certified buildings and sustainable office spaces. 
• Infrastructure Projects: These include roads, bridges, and public works to promote sustainability. Public Works and Urban Development: Utilized in public spaces such as parks, sidewalks, and community buildings, promoting eco-friendly urbanization. 
• Industrial Facilities: Applied in constructing factories, warehouses, and other industrial structures, aiding in reducing embodied carbon in buildings. 

This cement is vital for advancing sustainable construction practices across various sectors.

Are lower carbon cements advantageous over plain, traditional cement? 

We can agree that lower-carbon cement offers obvious environmental benefits, but how does it compare in terms of performance expectations? In fact, many of these cement formulations are cutting-edge and incredibly innovative, improving the overall strength, durability, and performance of the cement. These advancements ensure that lower carbon cement not only meets but often exceeds the standards set by traditional cement, making it a superior choice for sustainable construction projects. 

Some of the modern advantages more sustainable cement offers include: 

1. Environmental Benefits: Reduction in CO2 emissions per tonne of cement and;
2. Qualification for Certifications: Reduced embodied carbon can help builders meet green building certifications. 
    

How does the cost of lower carbon cement compare to traditional cement? 

Generally, the costs associated with lower-carbon cement are higher than those of traditional cement due to the capital required to implement new technology and new formulations. However, these costs are offset by social and environmental benefits, making it a worthy choice for sustainable construction. 

Work With Leaders in Sustainable Low-Carbon Cement Today 

Choosing lower-carbon cement and ever more sustainable building materials is a major step the construction industry needs to take towards building a better, more sustainable world. Lafarge Canada is on the frontlines, providing innovative and sustainable construction solutions. Contact Lafarge Canada today to learn more about our low-carbon cement products and how they can help you build a more sustainable future.