Due to a lack of raw materials, the exhaustion of fossil fuel reserves, and rising environmental concerns, the cement industry is currently facing some difficulties. A single tonne of Portland cement is projected to provide around 6% of total global man-made carbon emissions, considerably contributing to present environmental challenges. Green cement research and use can give an outstanding solution to these critical concerns.
With the discovery of geopolymer cement in the 1950s, the concept of green cement evolved. In contrast to standard Portland cement, geopolymer cement is made from aluminosilicates rather than the more environmentally destructive calcium oxide. Because these silicates can be made from industrial waste materials like fly ash, they are a promising green resource.
Green cement performs better than ordinary cement, consumes less natural materials in production, and emits less carbon dioxide. In 2015, the worldwide green cement market was assessed at 138 million metric tonnes in terms of consumption. According to Technavio analysts, the market will reach 277 million metric tonnes by 2020, increasing at a 15% CAGR.
Reduces carbon dioxide emissions
Traditional cement contains important materials such as clay, sand, and pulverised limestone. These chemicals require heat and emit around 5%-8% of total world CO2. Green cement, on the other hand, requires less heat during production and emits up to 80% less carbon dioxide.
Utilises industrial waste
In industrial plants, fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, is produced in vast amounts. Several acres of land are typically needed to dispose of it. Green cement not only reuses fly ash waste, but it also keeps land from becoming a dumping ground and eventually being demolished. Green cement, in addition to fly ash, uses blast furnace slag (a byproduct of iron manufacturing), which can have negative environmental consequences if merely dumped.
Lasts longer
Green concrete shrinks less and becomes significantly stronger far faster than ordinary cement-based concrete. Furthermore, because green concrete can survive temperatures as high as 2400 degrees Fahrenheit, it considerably increases the fire resistance of buildings. Green concrete is also resistant to acid rain, lowering the danger of deterioration.
Uses less energy
The materials used in the typical cement manufacturing process necessitate the use of huge volumes of natural gas or coal for heating. Green cement requires less energy to produce because it already contains industrial byproducts. Furthermore, unlike Portland cement, green cement is more resistant to temperature variations, lowering the expenses associated with both heating and cooling.
Helpful for contractors
Green cement is more beneficial to contractors than regular cement from a commercial aspect. This is due to the fact that green cement does not require any additional tools or equipment and removes the risk of cement burns. Furthermore, because green concrete dries quickly, a coating can be applied as soon as 72-96 hours. This enables contractors to save time and avoid losing other projects. Furthermore, green cement has a faster drying rate and strengthens, allowing for faster vertical building, decreasing construction time and enhancing the rate of return on industrial investments.
