Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industry

Abstract Cement production contributes ~7–8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, necessitating urgent decarbonisation. In the UK, focus has shifted to modernising infrastructure with low-carbon solutions. This review examines strategies involving alternative binders, supplementary cementitious ma...

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Main Authors: Ning Li, Cise Unluer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:npj Materials Sustainability
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s44296-025-00052-0
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author Ning Li
Cise Unluer
author_facet Ning Li
Cise Unluer
author_sort Ning Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cement production contributes ~7–8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, necessitating urgent decarbonisation. In the UK, focus has shifted to modernising infrastructure with low-carbon solutions. This review examines strategies involving alternative binders, supplementary cementitious materials, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies. Promising advancements include low-carbon cements and industrial by-product integration. Practical guidelines address regulatory barriers, technology scaling, and economic viability, emphasising the UK’s role in advancing cement industry’s decarbonisation.
format Article
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issn 2948-1775
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
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series npj Materials Sustainability
spelling doaj-art-7fb1c0c35e2c492f9b8eb6ca2833cab02025-08-20T03:09:21ZengNature Portfolionpj Materials Sustainability2948-17752025-05-013111510.1038/s44296-025-00052-0Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industryNing Li0Cise Unluer1Department of Civil Engineering and Management, University of ManchesterDepartment of Civil Engineering and Management, University of ManchesterAbstract Cement production contributes ~7–8% of global anthropogenic CO2 emissions, necessitating urgent decarbonisation. In the UK, focus has shifted to modernising infrastructure with low-carbon solutions. This review examines strategies involving alternative binders, supplementary cementitious materials, and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies. Promising advancements include low-carbon cements and industrial by-product integration. Practical guidelines address regulatory barriers, technology scaling, and economic viability, emphasising the UK’s role in advancing cement industry’s decarbonisation.https://doi.org/10.1038/s44296-025-00052-0
spellingShingle Ning Li
Cise Unluer
Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industry
npj Materials Sustainability
title Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industry
title_full Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industry
title_fullStr Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industry
title_full_unstemmed Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industry
title_short Towards a net zero built environment: decarbonisation of the UK cement industry
title_sort towards a net zero built environment decarbonisation of the uk cement industry
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s44296-025-00052-0
work_keys_str_mv AT ningli towardsanetzerobuiltenvironmentdecarbonisationoftheukcementindustry
AT ciseunluer towardsanetzerobuiltenvironmentdecarbonisationoftheukcementindustry