The cement industry is an energy intensive industry generating 8% of the world’s GHG emissions. Majority of cement related emissions come from the process to produce clinker, an intermediate product to make cement. The limestone, the key raw material, needs to be heated up in a rotary kiln that reach temperatures up to 1450 °C. Most of the carbon emissions come from the chemical breakdown of limestone (CaCo3) into (CaO + CO2). This represents 60% of the total emissions, the remaining being the emissions from combustion fuel.

There are essentially four significant CO2 reduction levers in the cement industry that urgently need effectuation:

• Improving energy efficiency
• Switching to less carbon intensive (alternative) fuels
• Reducing clinker content in cement
• Implementing innovative technologies, such as carbon capture

The presentation will show the different strategies and options to reduce CO2 in this industry as well their issues of implementation.

But achieving carbon neutral construction applies the integration of the whole value chain into the sustainability path.