Novacem Develops Carbon Negative Cement
Published: 27 October 2009
Subscribe To Verdantix
This report is only available to Verdantix clients with an annual subscription to our Knowledge Service.
4 pages, 3 figures
Executive Summary
The cement industry is currently a major contributor to climate change, responsible for 5% of global carbon emissions. Innovation within the sector has unearthed the possibility of turning this greenhouse gas source into a carbon sink. To hear more about developments Verdantix spoke with the CEO of Novacem, a start-up developing carbon negative cement. The use of magnesium silicate as the primary raw material lowers the required processing temperature and produces cement which absorbs carbon dioxide as it hardens. Commercial scale use of Novacem’s cement will require transformational change to the industry supply chain and manufacturing process of the traditional Portland cement industry. Uptake will be reliant on partners within the construction industry such as Laing O’Rourke. To ensure successful commercialisation of their invention, Novacem need to prove the long-term performance of their product, achieve cost parity with existing cement manufacturers and define the financial beneficiaries of carbon sequestration.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NOVACEM PLANS TO TURN CEMENT INTO A CARBON SINK
Novacem Is An Innovative Start-Up In The Cement Industry
Changes To Raw Materials And Process Enable Carbon-Negative Cement
Novacem’s Green Cement Must Demonstrate Commercial Viability
Questions Remain Over The Feasibility Of Novacem’s Cement
TABLE OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Novacem’s Cement Manufacturing Process
Figure 2. Novacem’s Commercialisation Timeline
Companies Mentioned
Amey, British Cement Association, Calera, Cemex, Cotag International, Eco-Cement, Faber Maunsell, Imperial Innovations Group, Lafarge, Laing O’Rouke, London Development Agency, London Technology Fund, Metric Gruppen AB, Plastic Logic, Rio Tinto Minerals, Royal Society Enterprise Fund, Tarmac, Wates Group, WSP, Xstrata.