Core Technologies to Produce Zero-Carbon Cement and Concrete

A major ingredient in concretes, cement is the second-largest industrial emitter of carbon dioxide after steel and iron industry and accounts for around 7% of global emissions of carbon dioxide. Cement plants that fail to adopt improved energy efficiencies and low-carbon processes might face dangers in the form of lost opportunity costs and possible punishments and charges for non-compliance by failing to innovate processes, with regulations of carbon emissions tightening internationally to meet the 2DS (two-degree scenario) targets. Low carbon cement in general majorly consists of non-biodegradable industrial wastes, reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, and saves energy. It replaces ordinary Portland cement (partially or fully) and this ultimately reduces carbon dioxide emissions. Most of the industrial wastes are in pulverized form hence energy consumed for production is saved. It utilizes non-biodegradable industrial waste. Therefore, the dumping challenges shall be solved hence water and soil pollution shall be drastically reduced. This critical review focuses on the current development of materials and technologies to produce zero carbon cement with decreased production of carbon dioxide relative to conventional methods blended with concretes of Portland cements. The study topic under this perspective aims to promote the sections of sustainable designs and constructions of frontiers in structural materials and build environments, offering suitable advancements in the production of zero carbon cement.