Overview
- With cement a major source of CO2, researchers at UBC and UC Santa Barbara released studies describing two low‑carbon production paths.
- UBC demonstrated an electrochemical route that runs at about 60°C before a 650°C kiln step and reported about 70% lower energy use and 98% lower CO2 using recycled cement.
- The electrochemical reactions release hydrogen that could fuel the kiln, and UBC filed an international patent as authors move to commercialize the process.
- UC Santa Barbara and Brimstone outlined making Portland cement from calcium‑rich silicate rocks like basalt, which modeling suggests uses under 60% of limestone energy and cuts CO2 by over 80%.
- The team reported vast basalt resources and potential co‑production of iron and aluminum, and both approaches still need to scale, secure feedstocks, and satisfy conservative construction standards.