Cement Industry Making Steady Progress in R&D to Achieve Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Review of Research Outcomes for the 'Cement Industry Carbon Neutral Core Technology Development Project'

The Korea Cement Association announced on the 19th that the second-year research and development project on the 'Core Technologies for Carbon Neutrality in the Cement Industry' aimed at achieving the national 2050 carbon neutrality goal has been successfully completed.

The association held a 'Performance Review Meeting for the Core Technology Development Project for Carbon Neutrality' over two days on the 5th and 6th at the Delpino Resort in Goseong, Gangwon Province. Led by the 'Cement Industry Carbon Neutrality Cooperation Group,' the meeting reviewed the progress of two key carbon neutrality R&D areas that the industry has recently been focusing on: 'expansion of blended cement' and 'conversion of fossil fuels to circular resources.'

The Korea Cement Association held the "Cement Industry Carbon Neutral Core Technology Development Project Research Performance Review Meeting" on the 5th and 6th at the Delpino Resort in Goseong, Gangwon Province. Provided by the Korea Cement Association

Blended cement is cement with a reduced proportion of clinker (a semi-finished cement product), which accounts for about 80% or more of the main components of cement. Over 90% of the greenhouse gases emitted during the cement manufacturing process come from clinker, which is produced by calcining limestone at high temperatures. Clinker is an important component that affects the strength and durability of concrete, but if it is replaced with industrial by-products or natural materials with lower carbon emissions, greenhouse gases can be effectively reduced.

The cement industry is conducting research and demonstration projects to develop high-performance clinker by 2025 and to develop various combinations of blended cement by 2030 using new supplementary materials such as limestone powder or calcined clay, along with slag powder and fly ash that have been used previously.

Research is also underway to convert more than 65% of bituminous coal into combustible circular resources such as waste synthetic resin and waste rubber. Replacing bituminous coal fuel with circular resources can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and solve environmental problems caused by landfill.

A representative from Ssangyong C&E, overseeing the limestone raw material substitution task, said, "Next year, based on this year’s achievements, we plan to establish a foundation for KS standardization and commercialization through prototype production and quality evaluation from the user’s perspective."

A representative from Asia Cement, in charge of the bituminous coal fuel conversion task, expressed expectations that "once the research and development is completed, the fuel substitution rate could reach levels similar to those of the European Union (EU), which has a higher substitution rate than Korea."

Kim Ui-cheol, head of the Carbon Neutrality Cooperation Group, stated, "Given the strong commitment of the cement industry to carbon neutrality, this year’s successful R&D outcomes will serve as a starting point for transitioning to a low-carbon industry." He added, "However, to expand blended cement like the EU, an institutional foundation must be established, so we plan to collaborate with the government, academia, and specialized institutions to promote the establishment and revision of the domestic industrial standard KS."

An association official said, "The third-year R&D project next year will be pursued with the same two-track strategy of expanding the proportion of blended cement and substituting fossil fuels as this year." He added, "We will strive to establish an institutional foundation for KS standardization and commercialization by referencing the opinions of industrial organizations and academia from the United States, Europe, and Japan."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.