98% less carbon: New tech promises near-zero emissions from cement production

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🗞️ Driving the news: Researchers at UCLA have introduced the "ZeroCAL" method, which promises a groundbreaking reduction of up to 98% in carbon emissions from cement production, a process that currently contributes to 8% of global CO2 emissions
• The technology targets emissions from both the decomposition of limestone and the heating of cement kilns

🔭 The context: Traditional cement production relies on heating limestone with fossil fuels, releasing significant CO2
• ZeroCAL replaces calcium oxide with calcium hydroxide, which emits only water when heated, and uses hydrogen fuel for kiln heating to eliminate fossil fuel use

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Decarbonizing cement production is crucial for reducing global greenhouse gas emissions and achieving climate targets
• Innovations like ZeroCAL are essential for transitioning the construction industry towards sustainability

⏭️ What's next: The ZeroCAL process is still in development, with plans for a demonstration plant in collaboration with Ultratech Cement in India
• Researchers aim to improve energy efficiency and explore partnerships to scale up production

💬 One quote: “The need for paradigm-shifting actions is clearer than ever, and ZeroCAL offers a scalable, accessible path to decarbonizing the cement industry,” said Fabian Rosner

📈 One stat: Traditional cement production emits approximately 2.2 pounds of CO2 for every kilogram of cement produced

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