The cement producers are among the largest CO2 emitters in the world. It is estimated that around seven percent is accounted for by this industrial sector. The production of one tonne of cement clinker generates around 790 kilograms of process-related CO2 emissions. About two thirds of this is accounted for by the limestone used, which releases CO2 in the course of the process through a chemical reaction. The cement clinker, the main component of conventional cement, is burnt in an energy-intensive process at temperatures of more than 1,400 degrees Celsius.
With the help of polysius® activated clay technology, our customer Cimpor Global Holdings is significantly reducing its CO2 footprint and energy costs.
Pablo Hofelich, CEO Cement Technologies
But the cement clinker can be replaced up to 30 % by activated clay. Heated to 800°C to 900°C, the previous 790 kilograms of CO2 per tonne of cement clinker produced can be reduced to up to 120 kilograms of CO2 per tonne of activated clay. Cimpor Global Holdings will thus be able to save more than 120,000 tonnes of CO2 per year at its plant in Cameroon from autumn 2021.
thyssenkrupp has set itself a groupwide target of reducing 16 percent of the emissions caused by the use of its products. The polysius® activated clay technology makes an important contribution to achieving this ambitious target by 2030.
Conclusion:
More and more cement manufacturers want to reduce the clinker factor in their products and increase the volume of SCMs (Supplementary Cementitious Materials) in their products. Activated clay offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to conventional cement clinker. Aim is to maximize the clinker factor reduction in new ternary cement type (limestone-activated clay cement) which normalization is of essence for the cement industry globally. With the polysius® activated clay technology, thyssenkrupp offers a doubly effective solution for the industrial use of clay as SCM.