Locking Carbon Dioxide Into Concrete Is a Cool Idea
Production of concrete, a notorious emitter of greenhouses gases, is getting cleaner
The cement industry alone is responsible for about 8% of annual emissions of carbon dioxide. For every ton of cement that’s produced, a ton of greenhouse gases is released into the atmosphere. That’s obviously a threat to the planet, but it’s also an opportunity, because it means cement is a big, fat target for technological progress.
Global Cement magazine is all over this story. In April, London-based web editor David Perilli published an article featuring 15 concepts—some in the idea stage, some in use—for reducing the amount of carbon dioxide embodied in cement and concrete. This month, the magazine’s December issue features more ideas on the cutting edge, including solar-powered cement production.