The cement industry is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for approximately 8% of global carbon emissions.
However, a new generation of cement, known as green cement, is revolutionizing the industry with its reduced carbon footprint and sustainable production process.
Benefits of Green Cement:
Green cement offers several advantages over traditional cement, including:
Reduced carbon emissions: Green cement production reduces carbon emissions by up to 70%, making it a more environmentally friendly option.
Increased compressive strength: Green cement has greater compressive strength, making it a more durable and long-lasting material.
Increased life expectancy: Green cement has a longer lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and repairs.
Utilizes industrial waste: Green cement utilizes industrial waste, reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and conserving natural resources.
Countries Leading the Way:
Several countries have already embraced green cement, incorporating it into their construction projects and infrastructure development. These countries include:
United States: New Jersey has enacted a law granting businesses a tax credit worth up to 5% of a project’s total concrete costs if they use materials with low embodied carbon emissions.
United Kingdom: The UK government has mandated that the concrete used in the London Crossrail Project must have a cement-replacement content of at least 50%.
United Arab Emirates: Since 2015, the UAE has required that all major infrastructure projects use cement that contains at least 60% blast furnace slag or fly ash.
Switzerland: Zurich has required the use of carbon dioxide-reduced cement in new public buildings since 2013 and has mandated that all publicly owned buildings use recycled concrete since 2005.
Austria: Rieder has replaced 50% of the cement in its concrete panels with natural pozzolana, leading to a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions.
Japan: Taiheiyo Cement Corporation has been developing “eco-cements” that replace large quantities of limestone with ash, limiting carbon emissions.
African Countries Embracing Green Cement:
Several African countries have also adopted green cement, including:
South Africa: Green cement manufacturing in South Africa has been achieved through the utilization of supplementary cementitious materials.
Morocco: The IFC agreed to give a €45 million green loan to four OIP subsidiaries, including Morocco’s CIMAT and West Africa’s CIMAF, to enhance low-carbon cement supply in Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali.
Burkina Faso: €32.4 million was allocated to constructing a calcined clay production facility at CIMAF Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, aimed at reducing clinker use, boosting energy efficiency, and slashing greenhouse gas emissions.
Ghana: Bton, a German in-situ and climate-positive concrete firm, announced it is making a foray into Africa with an initial offering in Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco.
Kenya: There’s a project in, for example, in Kenya, a new smart city (Konza city) that is planned, and they’re very open, and they think that they find a way, especially in the higher density areas for constructive concrete.
Nigeria: Bton has started to discuss with some countries and projects in Africa, such as Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, but stated that Bton is open to exploring more opportunities with the local industry.
Egypt: Key projects like hydropower plants, oil refineries, port expansions, and residential and commercial building initiatives in countries such as Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya are expected to further bolster the market for green cement and concrete during the forecast period.
Impact:
The adoption of green cement has a significant impact on the environment, including:
Reduced carbon emissions: The production of green cement reduces carbon emissions, contributing to a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Conservation of natural resources: Green cement utilizes industrial waste, reducing the need for natural resources and conserving them for future generations.
Increased sustainability: Green cement promotes sustainability in the construction industry, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly materials and practices.
Green cement is a revolutionary material that offers a sustainable solution for the future.
With its reduced carbon footprint, increased compressive strength, and utilization of industrial waste, green cement is an attractive option for construction projects and infrastructure development.
As countries around the world, including those in Africa, adopt green cement, we can expect to see a significant reduction in carbon emissions and a more sustainable future for generations to come.
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