Low Carbon Cement for Sustainable Construction
Cement production accounts for approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions, with traditional Portland cement releasing roughly 800kg of CO2 per tonne produced. Recent measurements across production facilities show that even optimized modern plants struggle to reduce emissions below 600kg CO2 per tonne while maintaining the mechanical properties required for structural applications.
The fundamental challenge lies in developing alternative cementitious materials that can match Portland cement's performance characteristics while dramatically reducing CO2 emissions from both raw material calcination and fuel consumption.
This page brings together solutions from recent research—including biochar-enhanced compositions achieving negative carbon footprints, limestone calcined clay cements with innovative ettringite control, alkali-activated fly ash systems, and belite-ye'elimite-ternesite clinkers with optimized mineral ratios. These and other approaches focus on maintaining mechanical performance and durability while enabling implementation within existing production infrastructure.
1. Cement Composition with Water-Reducing Superplasticizer and Enhanced Compressive Strength
CHINA BUILDING MAT ACADEMY CO LTD, 2025
Low-carbon cement that replaces conventional Portland cement while maintaining compatibility with existing systems. The cement contains a water-reducing superplasticizer, achieving high water reduction rates (over 40%), improved 28-day shrinkage, and enhanced compressive strength. The cement formulation enables reliable use in current production processes while minimizing carbon emissions.
2. Concrete Composition with Biochar-Enhanced Rheology and Strength Properties
HOLCIM TECHNOLOGY LTD, 2025
A low-carbon concrete composition and method to produce it, comprising biochar with enhanced rheologic and strength properties. The composition comprises Portland cement, biochar, and limestone filler, with biochar serving as a binder in Portland cement. The biochar enhances cement rheology and strength while providing carbon sequestration through carbon dioxide capture.
3. Recycled Concrete Material with Alkali-Activated Fly Ash and Reduced Particle Size
GUANGZHOU POWER SUPPLY BUREAU GUANGDONG POWER GRID CO LTD, 2024
A green low-carbon recycled concrete material that achieves improved mechanical properties through enhanced alkali-activated fly ash (FA) content and particle size reduction. The material combines the benefits of reduced carbon footprint from volcanic ash waste with improved concrete performance characteristics. The preparation method involves optimizing FA content and particle size reduction through controlled steam curing and alkali activation, enabling the production of high-performance recycled concrete that meets stringent sustainability requirements.
4. Geopolymer Concrete with Integrated Fly Ash and Biochar Featuring Controlled Alkaline Activation and Incorporation Process
LOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY, 2024
Carbon-neutral geopolymer concrete that integrates fly ash and biochar to reduce CO2 emissions in traditional concrete production. The method optimizes the synergistic effects of these materials by precisely controlling their incorporation into the geopolymer matrix, ensuring enhanced mechanical properties and durability while maintaining a low carbon footprint. The process involves preparing the geopolymer binder through alkaline activation of fly ash, followed by controlled incorporation of biochar to achieve a carbon-neutral effect. The concrete is then cast and cured under controlled conditions to achieve desired strength and durability characteristics.
5. Concrete Composition Incorporating Biochar as Primary Aggregate Component
SPURGIN LEONHART, 2024
Concrete for low-carbon construction that incorporates biochar as a primary aggregate component, achieving a negative carbon footprint of up to -1434 kg CO2/m³. The concrete composition combines cement, biochar, and water to produce a dense, mechanical-resistant material with reduced carbon emissions compared to conventional concrete. The biochar replaces conventional aggregates, maintaining comparable mechanical properties while significantly reducing carbon footprint.
6. Cementitious Composition Comprising Milled Lime and Pozzolanic Material
C-CRETE TECHNOLOGIES LLC, 2024
Cementitious material with low CO2 footprint for construction applications that replaces traditional Portland cement. The material is made by milling together lime and a pozzolanic material like metakaolin or fly ash. The milling process enhances reactivity and bonding between the materials without adding additional chemicals. The resulting cementitious material has comparable compressive strength to regular cement. The low-CO2 alternative avoids the energy-intensive calcination and clinkering steps of Portland cement production.
7. Belite-Ye'elimite-Ternesite Cement Clinker with Elevated Ternesite Content and Aluminum-Rich Composition
CHINA NAT BUILDING MATERIAL GROUP CO LTD, 2024
Belite-ye'elimite-ternesite cement clinker for construction applications, comprising elevated ternesite content and enhanced reactivity. The clinker contains more than 40 wt. % aluminum from industrial waste, including low-grade bauxite, alumina ash, high-alumina fly ash, or a combination thereof. The clinker's mass ratio of ternesite to ye'elimite is 0.5-1, with the aluminum source contributing to restricted ye'elimite mineral formation, enabling improved early-stage strength and later-stage hydration reactivity. The clinker's mass ratio of belite to ternesite is 0.25-1.
8. Cement Clinker with Controlled Calcium Sulfoaluminate and Silicate Mineral Ratios
CHINA NATIONAL BUILDING MATERIAL GROUP CO LTD, 2024
A low-carbon cement clinker formulation that achieves superior strength performance through optimized mineral composition ratios. The clinker is formulated by controlling the proportions of calcium sulfoaluminate, anhydrous calcium silicate, and calcium sulfosilicate minerals, which exhibit lower carbon emissions compared to traditional Portland cement. The controlled mineral composition ratio enables enhanced early strength development through rapid hydration of C4A3$, while the later-stage strength is improved by the hydration of C2S. The optimized composition ensures both early and late-stage strength improvements, making the low-carbon cement suitable for demanding construction applications.
9. Limestone Calcined Clay Cement Composition with Glyoxylic Acid Dispersant and Borate Co-Retarder for Ettringite Control
CONSTRUCTION RESEARCH &TECHNOLOGY GMBH, 2024
A limestone calcined clay cement (LC3) construction composition and an aqueous water-reduced freshly mixed construction composition for precast concrete applications, achieving high early strength through innovative ettringite control. The composition comprises a cement with sufficient available aluminate content, a water-reducing agent, and a co-retarder that prevent ettringite formation during hydration. The water-reducing agent, a glyoxylic acid-based dispersant, and the co-retarder, a borate source, work synergistically to control ettringite growth while maintaining optimal cement hydration and workability. The composition enables high early strength, sufficient open time, and improved durability in precast concrete applications compared to conventional Portland cement-based mixes.
10. Method for Producing Cement Composition with Biochar-Enhanced Air Distribution and Reduced CO2 Emissions
SHIMIZU CONSTRUCTION CO LTD, 2024
A method for producing a curable cement composition that reduces carbon dioxide emissions during concrete manufacturing. The composition incorporates biochar, a material derived from biomass, into a cement matrix. The biochar particles are combined with cement, water, aggregate, and a chemical admixture containing an air entraining agent (AE agent), while maintaining optimal air content. The biochar particles are specifically engineered to enhance air penetration, while the AE agent ensures sufficient air supply. This combination enables controlled cement hydration and reduces carbon dioxide emissions through improved air distribution.
11. Binder Composition with Portland Cement, Calcium Aluminate Cement, and Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cement
IMERTECH, 2024
A binder composition for concrete and mortars that combines Portland cement with calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and calcium sulfoaluminate cement (GSA) to achieve improved early strength while maintaining low carbon footprint. The composition comprises Portland cement, CAC, GSA, and pozzolanic and latent hydraulic materials. The CAC and GSA react to form a synergistic pozzolanic system that accelerates early strength development while maintaining the binding properties of Portland cement. This composition enables concrete and mortars to achieve higher early strength with reduced carbon footprint compared to conventional Portland cement-based systems.
12. Cement Blends Incorporating Decarburized Lime and Pozzolans with Reduced Carbon Emissions
NOBLE SYSTEMS INC, 2023
Cement blends that significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the use of decarburized lime and pozzolans. The blends combine decarburized lime with pozzolans and optional additional components to produce cement with minimal CO2 emissions. The decarburized lime can be produced through a process that captures CO from combustion sources and atmospheric emissions. The resulting cement blends have lower than usual CO2 emissions compared to conventional Portland cement, making them suitable for applications where environmental sustainability is a priority.
13. Cementitious Composition Integrating Portland Cement, High-Calcium Iron Belite Sulfoaluminate, Limestone, and Fly Ash
TIANJIN CEMENT INDUSTRY DESIGN & RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD, 2023
Integrated cementitious material for high-performance low-carbon concrete that combines Portland cement, high-calcium iron belite sulfoaluminate cement, limestone, and fly ash. The material is prepared through a simplified formulation process that combines these four basic raw materials in a single, optimized ratio, eliminating the need for separate cement and mineral admixtures. The resulting material provides improved early hydration activity and enhanced performance characteristics compared to conventional low-carbon concrete formulations.
14. Cement Composition with Biochar-Integrated CO2 Absorptive Particles
SHIMIZU CONSTRUCTION CO LTD, 2023
Curable cement composition containing cement, water, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate, and biochar, which enables effective carbon dioxide reduction through biochar-based carbon capture. The composition combines cement with biochar to form a hardenable cement that incorporates biochar particles, which absorb CO2 during curing. The biochar absorbs CO2 through chemical reactions, reducing the overall carbon footprint of the cement production process. The resulting hardened cement product retains its performance characteristics while incorporating the carbon-capture benefits of biochar.
15. Belite Portland Cement-Based Concrete with Basalt Powder and Copper-Plated Steel Fibers
CENTRAL SOUTH UNIVERSITY, Central South University, 2023
Belite Portland cement-based green ultra-high performance concrete that reduces cement consumption and carbon emissions compared to conventional Portland cement-based UHPC. The concrete contains a minimum of 300kg/m3 Belite Portland cement, incorporating basalt powder as a gelling component, with copper-plated steel fibers and a reduced amount of conventional cement and admixtures. The cement formulation incorporates gypsum with a 5wt% clinker mineral composition, achieving a 28d compressive strength of 42.5MPa and a 3d heat of hydration of 230J/g.
16. Cementitious Binder Comprising Precipitated Lime and Pozzolan with Reduced CO2 Emissions
SUBLIME SYSTEMS INC, 2023
Cementitious binder comprising precipitated lime and at least one pozzolan, which provides a cement with reduced embodied carbon emissions compared to conventional portland cement. The binder comprises precipitated lime and at least one pozzolan, which are produced using a process with substantially reduced CO2 emissions to the atmosphere due to the consumption of fossil fuels. The pozzolan may be produced using a process with substantially reduced chemical CO2 emissions to the atmosphere, meaning CO2 emissions originating from chemical reactions involved in synthesizing the material.
17. Method for Iterative Calculation of Cement Compositions Using Component-Concentration-Based Carbon Model
HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC, 2023
A method for optimizing cement composition through the use of a carbon model that predicts cement properties based on component concentrations. The method iteratively calculates a set of cement compositions that meet specific cement constraints using cement property models, and then selects the optimal composition based on its carbon footprint. This approach enables the development of cement compositions with reduced carbon emissions by identifying the most environmentally friendly composition combinations.
18. Carbonated Biomass Ash with Stabilized Water Regulation for Cementitious Material Substitution
VICAT, 2023
Carbonated biomass ash as a cementitious material substitute that enables CO2 reduction during cement production while maintaining mechanical properties. The ash is obtained by carbonating biomass from combustion processes and is stabilized through controlled water regulation. The carbonated ash exhibits improved carbonation properties compared to traditional cement additives, enabling natural carbonation of concrete to reduce CO2 emissions.
19. Concrete Composition with Phosphonic Amino-Alkylene Water-Reducing Additive and Portland Cement Binder
HOLCIM TECHNOLOGY LTD, 2023
Low carbon concrete composition and method to produce it, comprising a water-reducing additive comprising at least one phosphonic amino-alkylene group; aggregates; and Portland cement as a hydraulic binder, which produces strength-forming phases by solidifying and curing in contact with water. The composition and method achieve reduced viscosity, shortened setting times, and satisfactory strength development through the use of a water-reducing additive comprising phosphonic amino-alkylene groups, while maintaining emissions of carbon dioxide during manufacturing.
20. Binder Composition Incorporating Calcium Aluminate Cement and Calcium Sulfate with Pozzolanic and Latent Hydraulic Materials
IMERTECH, 2023
A binder composition that combines the strength benefits of Portland cement with improved early strength and durability characteristics. The composition comprises a binder comprising calcium aluminate cement (CAC) and calcium sulfate source, with pozzolanic and/or latent hydraulic materials. The binder is formulated to provide enhanced early strength while maintaining low carbon footprint compared to traditional Portland cement-based binders.
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