Researchers Develop Low-Carbon Cement from Demolition Waste

The innovative process reduces cement industry emissions by up to 61% and achieves performance comparable to Portland cement.

Engineers from the University of São Paulo and Princeton have created a method to recycle cement waste into a sustainable alternative to Portland cement.
The process involves heating pulverized concrete waste to 500°C and combining it with finely ground Portland cement or limestone to match conventional cement's strength and workability.
The recycled cement emits up to 40% less CO2 compared to other low-carbon options like limestone calcined clay cement (LC3).
Scaling the technology will require improved demolition waste sorting, updated building codes, and broader adoption of performance-based standards.
The research highlights the potential for a circular economy in construction, repurposing demolition waste for new building materials.