UK breakthrough could slash emissions from cement

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🗞️ Driving the news: Scientists at Cambridge University have developed a method to recycle cement from demolished concrete, potentially slashing emissions from cement production
• By using electric-powered furnaces and renewable energy, this "electric cement" process could eliminate greenhouse gas emissions entirely

🔭 The context: Cement production is a major source of CO2 emissions due to the high-temperature heating of limestone
• The new method utilizes the heat from steel recycling, a significant breakthrough as cement manufacturing accounts for 7.5% of global CO2 emissions

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: If implemented widely, this innovation could drastically reduce the carbon footprint of the construction industry, helping to combat climate change

⏭️ What's next: Spanish company Celsa will test this process in a full-scale electric arc furnace in Cardiff
• Successful trials could lead to widespread adoption and significant emission reductions globally

💬 One quote: "We have shown the high temperatures in the furnace reactivate the old cement and because electric arc furnaces use electricity they can be powered by renewable power, so the entire cement making process is decarbonised," said lead scientist Cyrille Dunant

📈 One stat: If cement were a country, it would be the third largest emitter of CO2, responsible for 7.5% of human-made emissions

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