Overview
- Researchers report an electrochemical cement method that lowers energy use by about 70% and cuts carbon emissions by 98% compared with today’s process.
- The UBC team runs the key reaction at roughly 60°C, then forms belite in a kiln at about 650°C, replacing most high‑heat steps with electricity.
- Using recycled waste cement as the feedstock drops emissions to about 20 kilograms of CO2 per ton, and the reaction also makes hydrogen that could fire the kiln.
- UBC has filed an international patent on the process and two authors co‑founded a company to pursue commercialization, though results remain at the laboratory stage.
- A separate UC Santa Barbara and Brimstone study finds calcium from basalt could make standard Portland cement with less than 60% of limestone’s energy and over 80% lower CO2, with abundant rock resources identified.