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637 S. Victory Blvd.| Burbank, CA 91502 | Phone: (818) 567-4400
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A green concrete jungle? Why green cement is paving the future
by Acacia Smith 6
A substance that literally forms the foundations of urban
living, concreteis indispensable to the way we live .
Unfortunately, it is yet another example of a greenhouse
gas emitting, unsustainable practice. In the era of climate
change where our actions are subject toconstant scrutiny, we cannot
ignore the impacts of the cement industry. Enter green cement ,
theattempt by industry to enhance sustainability and reduce
emissions.
Current practice
Of global CO2 emissions, 5% come from the cement industry . The
main ingredient in concrete,limestone, is a mining intensive
resource that emits high emissions during manufacture.Greenhouse
gas emissions come from the fuel utilised to heat limestone, and
from thesubsequent chemical reactions. At an extraordinarily cheap
15 cents per kg, we are not payingthe true environmental or social
cost of cement. (image: olovedog)
The future of green cement
Eco-cement
Eco-cement is a watered down version of conventional concrete,
whereby waste materials areadded to the mix. For some years now
companies have been blending cement with waste
products from coal-fired power plants and iron manufacturing.
Reducing the amount of limestone cuts energy costs and emissions.
The result is a cheaper, lower carbon cement. Besideswaste blended
cement, there are several other initiatives pushing the industry
forward.
Aether cement Companies such as LaFarge have produced an aether
cement that reduces emissions from30% to 50%. Simply by changing
the proportions of existing raw materials, the energymanufacturing
needs have been cut dramatically.
Geopolymer cement
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637 S. Victory Blvd.| Burbank, CA 91502 | Phone: (818) 567-4400
| Fax: (818) 567-4401www.fhofficesystems.com
Work is also being done to create a new cement which replaces
energy intensive limestone withan alumino-silicate base. By
switching raw materials, emissions from manufacturing can becurbed
by 60%. Geopolymer cement is already commercially available.
Carbon negative!
Novocem is taking it even further. The company claim to be
developing a carbon negativecement . This exciting new technology
is able to absorb up to 100kg of CO2 per tonne. Thiscement is still
very much in the experimental phase, but Novocem hopes to be
producing 25,000tonnes a year by 2015.
How can we support green cement?
The most obvious way we can support green cement is to increase
consumer demand. Consumer reluctance is the key issue standing in
the way of success. Companies are wary to invest in a
product that has not yet stood the test of time. No-one wants to
be the first to try out newtechnology. If enough companies and
individuals phase low carbon cement into their buildingmaterials,
it should strengthen confidence in the long term.
Dont wait for the technology act now
As the technology develops, here are some steps you can take in
the now:
Use only what you need. There are options besides concrete for
foundations, such as tires orrocks
Request low emission eco-cement where plausible Even better, ask
for carbon zero cement. Companies such as Ecocem in Ireland have
been
providing a carbon-zero cement since 2003. A combination of
waste inputs and carbon offsetshas allowed them to achieve this
status
Insipid yet integral to our lifestyles, it is time to stop
ignoring the impacts of concretemanufacture. The cement industry
will play a big role in emissions reductions in the years tocome.
With the improvements in technology, there are many ways to support
the development of green cement. Perhaps Amory Lovins of the Rocky
Mountain Institute sums it up best by sayingthat green technology
will happen, and happen rapidly because its profitable.
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637 S. Victory Blvd.| Burbank, CA 91502 | Phone: (818) 567-4400
| Fax: (818) 567-4401www.fhofficesystems.com
About the author
Acacia Smith is a New Zealander now based in London. She holds a
bachelor degree and postgraduate diploma from Victoria University
of Wellington. She hasworked for the Council for International
Development (CID) and more recently in Bolivia for CIWY , a network
of private parks for the rehabilitation and conservation of
Amazonian fauna.Acacia is passionate about sustainability and the
role businesses can play in promoting a better,more sustainable
future
