Cemex develops innovative approach to reduce carbon emissions

Cemex has developed an innovative approach designed to decrease CO₂ emissions in cement production by reducing the size of clinker particles. This process called micronization, when combined with the use of proprietary admixtures, allows cement to significantly reduce its clinker factor per ton of cement, thereby minimizing its carbon footprint. Additionally, clinker micronization has the added feature of maintaining the specified development strength required by the highest global cement standards.

Cemex’s clinker micronization process, pioneered by their Research and Development Center in Switzerland, offers a creative alternative to traditional clinker grinding, enhancing efficiency and significantly boosting strength of the final product. Industrial scale production trials have validated initial R&D findings.

The production of clinker, the main component of cement, represents the most carbon-intensive part of the cement manufacturing process. The adoption of clinker micronization has the potential to reduce the clinker factor in cement products up to 50%, which would significantly accelerate progress towards the company’s decarbonization goals.

“We are finding new ways to boost our decarbonization roadmap in the production of cement and concrete,” said Fernando A. González, CEO of Cemex. “We remain committed to achieving our ambitious 2030 decarbonization goals on the path to becoming a Net Zero company by 2050.”

Micronized clinker offers additional decarbonization benefits in concrete. Concretes produced with Cemex’s micronized clinker require less cement to reach the desired strength performance, further reducing the CO₂ footprint.

Innovation is a key lever for Cemex to significantly reduce its CO₂ footprint. The company is actively pursuing new R&D product developments processes that favor low-CO₂ clinker as well as projects on the carbon capture front, thus ensuring a continuous progress towards its decarbonization targets. Through Cemex’s R&D, the company is discovering and proving scalable technologies to achieve carbon neutrality.

This innovation project is part of Cemex’s Future in Action program, which focuses on achieving sustainable excellence through climate action, circularity, and natural resource management with the primary objective of becoming a net zero CO₂ company by 2050.

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