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How does cement production add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere?
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Global warming
A series of photographs of the Grinnell Glacier taken from the summit of Mount Gould in Glacier National Park, Montana, in (from left) 1938, 1981, 1998, and 2006. In 1938 the Grinnell Glacier filled the entire area at the bottom of the image. By 2006 it had largely disappeared from this view.
Cement production contributes significantly to global warming, accounting for approximately 4–8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions arise from two primary sources during the manufacturing process:1
- Chemical Reactions: More than 50 percent of the CO₂ released is an intrinsic by-product of the chemical reaction required to produce clinker, the essential component of cement. This process involves calcination, where raw materials like limestone are heated to high temperatures to expel CO₂.123
- Energy Consumption: The remainder of the emissions results from the energy-intensive nature of the process. Large kilns must reach temperatures between 1,350 and 1,550 °C (2,460 to 2,820 °F) to burn the raw materials, typically by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, or natural gas.12
Addressing these emissions is a critical environmental priority, involving strategies such as improving energy efficiency, transitioning to renewable energy, and developing alternative cement formulations that require less clinker.12