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How could renewable energy and carbon capture reduce emissions from cement plants?
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Cement
The cement-making process, from crushing and grinding of raw materials, through roasting of the ground and mixed ingredients, to final cooling and storing of the finished product.
Cement production is a significant contributor to global warming, accounting for approximately 4–8 percent of worldwide carbon dioxide emissions. Reducing these emissions involves several strategic approaches:1
- Renewable Energy: Cement plants can lower their carbon footprint by replacing traditional fossil fuels—such as coal, oil, or natural gas used in kilns—with renewable energy sources.12
- Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): This process involves recovering CO₂ from industrial flue gases before it enters the atmosphere. Technologies such as postcombustion capture use solvents and pollution-control equipment to separate CO₂ after fuel combustion. Once captured, the CO₂ is compressed and can be stored underground or utilized in products like concrete.34
It is important to note that more than 50 percent of emissions from cement production are intrinsic to the chemical reaction required to produce clinker. Consequently, while energy transitions and carbon capture are vital, the industry also focuses on developing alternative formulations that reduce the overall need for clinker to effectively mitigate climate impacts.21