Norway’s Cemonite develops low-carbon concrete

Norwegian tech company Cemonite has developed a low-emissions concrete to tackle the carbon emissions from the cement industry, Reuters reports. The firm leverages the abundant level of tailings — leftover waste materials left after the target mineral is extracted from the ore — in its production. The company opened its first factory after successful pilot projects and industry strength tests.

About their concrete: The concrete doesn’t use Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) which is traditionally responsible for 90% of concrete's carbon footprint, the newswire writes. Cemonite's solution reduces the need for energy-intensive limestone calcination and addresses the environmental issue of tailings disposal by utilising mineral-rich waste from titanium dioxide mining.

Why does this matter? The global cement industry — which accounts for approximately 7% of all CO2 emissions — faces a challenge to decarbonize as demand for infrastructure grows, especially in developing regions. The World Benchmarking Alliance's Heavy Industries Benchmark highlights that only three cement companies have set Paris-aligned decarbonization targets. While some companies like Heidelberg Materials are exploring alternative fuels and raw materials to reduce emissions, the industry needs more mature, cost-competitive solutions.

More new tech is underway: Innovations such as geopolymer cement, using waste materials like fly ash and metal slag, and calcined clay, offer alternatives to reduce OPC's carbon impact. Companies like Cemonite are also exploring the use of demolition waste for new construction. Experts suggest that not over-specifying concrete quality and reducing over-ordering can lead to significant carbon savings, the newswire adds.