The world population is estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050 with 70% of all people living in cities. As countries develop, there will be an ever increasing demand for building materials, especially . production is thus set to increase to 5 billion tonnes per year.

Emissions in cement production are threefold: alternative materials, but the bulk cement will still be using limestone ■ From the production of the electrical as a main raw material. energy used to grind the raw materials and clinker; This is why our research does not focus on finding a revolutionary type of new cement, Concrete is the ideal material to meet ■ From the fuel burned to heat the raw but rather on making concrete even better. many of the challenges the world will face materials in a kiln to 1450°C to form in the coming decades: It is low-carbon clinker, which is later crushed and We study cement and concrete at a made from abundant resources, capable of blended with gypsum to make cement; microscopic level to help understand the integrating large quantities of waste and scope of physical and chemical reactions by-products and is extremely durable. ■ Process emissions: as the limestone is that occur when using different cement

heated, it changes into lime and CO2. types or materials in the concrete mix. Using alternative construction materials These emissions represent 60 to 65% Furthermore, we look at how the concrete would, in many cases, not be a sustainable of total emissions linked to cement is likely to perform in the future. solution. Forest growth would not be able production. to compensate a dramatic increase in the Fundamental research is needed to study use of wood and increasing steel production Since process emissions, caused by the these complex materials and their interaction for construction would lead to higher use of limestone, are responsible for most with the environment that surrounds them. emissions. Furthermore, concrete is the only of the emissions, it would make sense to viable material for many applications such as think that we simply have to use another Using advanced techniques like atomic foundations, high rise structures, or dams. raw material. However, there is a catch. force microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Limestone is widely available close to almost transmission electron microscopy we get Nevertheless we should explore all possible all places where cement is used, and no a better understanding on what goes on options to reduce the emissions linked to viable substitute has yet been found despite inside concrete. Gaining this knowledge will cement and concrete production and save many decades of intense research. It is help develop solutions that will lower the resources. possible to envisage niche products using carbon impact of concrete.

Our research supports several parallel pathways of limestone) and thermal emissions. of reducing concrete’s carbon impact: Our research looks into the performance that different cement types with ■ Improved prediction of performance alternative materials have today and of new types of cement and concrete. might have over time. Because safety comes first, there has been a tendency to use a concrete that is ■ Our research actively explores possibilities stronger than actually needed. Increasing for new replacement materials such our understanding of how each concrete as calcinated clays or pozzolans or will perform for the next 50 to 100 years optimising the use of the replacement will increase the use of cement and materials used today. concrete types with lower emissions per tonne. ■ We investigate the impact of chemical admixtures on concrete performance. ■ Research into the performance of Admixtures can help improve the different mixtures could lead to concrete , making it more types that use less cement whilst ensuring durable and sustainable. equal structural integrity over time.

■ Increase understanding how concrete deteriorates and ensure new materials will be durable.

■ In Europe, more than 20% of clinker is replaced by waste materials or industrial by-products like blast furnace slag or . Decreasing the amount of clinker reduces both process emissions (originating from the decomposition