Dear readers, internationally, the cement, lime and gypsum industries are putting their efforts in decarbonization measures and are paving the path to CO₂ neutrality until 2035, 2040 or 2050. But – if this goal is to be achieved at all – which measures must be taken into account and which levers need to be set in motion?

The cement industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Driven by the need to decarbonize, the depletion of traditional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash and slag, and the demand for regionally adapted raw materials, the sector is being pushed to rethink its technological foundations. In this context, SCMs are increasingly recognized as key to reducing CO₂ emissions and conserving resources.

The illusion that net-zero can be achieved in the cement industry by implementing CCUS systems (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) is about to burst. Here, the projections put forward by the cement industry are discussed in detail and compared with reality. Accordingly, this market review is a wake-up call which also shows that roadmaps for 2050 should be re-written.

This article explores how retrofitting existing ball mills with tailored solutions enables efficient use of high-moisture SCMs. Drawing on a recent industrial case, it demonstrates how engineering adaptations optimize performance, and help cement producers meet sustainability and climate goals.

When it comes to the sustainable digital transformation of the cement industry, a well-coordinated mix of electrification, hardware, and software solutions for both core production and secondary processes plays a crucial role. At the heart of this portfolio lies CEMAT.

A quantitative assessment of the environmental impact of the building materials industry in Germany and the current regulatory framework make it urgent to reduce resource consumption and climate impact. Innovative and practical product developments show that gypsum can be a climate-friendly alternative to CO₂-intensive building materials.

The European Environment Agency (EEA, a body of the EU) points out in its latest report, that “deployment [of carbon reduction measures] remains slow and geographically uneven”. It commences that “incremental efficiency improvements will not suffice” and that deep transformation of core industries is now unavoidable. The report closes with the essence: “any further postponement of implementation will make transitions more expensive and socially disruptive.”