How do the costs of low-emission cement compare to traditional methods?
Low-emission cement technologies can be cost-competitive or even cheaper than conventional carbon capture and traditional cement production. One study found that producing green MgO cement from desalination brine mitigates CO₂ at a cost of $48 to $61.8 per metric tonne of CO₂, which is lower than many other currently available CO₂ abatement technologies [1]. Another study on advanced amine-based CO₂ capture for cement plants showed that a second-generation system (piperazine/2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, or PZ-AMP) can achieve 99.7% capture at a cost of $72 per tonne of CO₂ avoided—18% lower than the standard 90% capture process using monoethanolamine (MEA), and potentially dropping below $56 per tonne with cheaper steam production [3]. These figures indicate that deep decarbonization of cement is not only technically feasible but also economically viable.
Do low-carbon cements perform as well as traditional concrete?
Yes, many low-carbon cements can match or exceed the mechanical performance of ordinary Portland cement. For instance, replacing 20% of cement with ceramic waste powder increased compressive strength by 11%, splitting tensile strength by 20%, and flexural strength by 12.5% compared to conventional concrete; combining 20% ceramic waste powder with 10% rice husk ash boosted those gains to 14%, 28%, and 19% respectively [4]. In another study, adding carbon nanotubes to low-carbon sulfoaluminate cement improved compressive strength by up to 37% and flexural strength by up to 32.7% [2]. Similarly, adding just 0.5% ferroaluminate cement clinker to high-ferrite cement increased 3-day compressive strength by 18% and 28-day strength by 7.8% [8]. These results show that low-carbon cements are not a compromise—they can be stronger than the incumbent product.
What are the main barriers to widespread adoption?
Despite promising cost and performance, scaling low-emission cement faces several hurdles. Many technologies are still at early stages of development and require rigorous life-cycle assessment to confirm their carbon-saving promise [6]. For example, while using desalination brine could theoretically supply 14–43% of global cement production by 2050, this depends on regional brine variability and process tuning [1]. Additionally, achieving net-zero emissions in the cement sector will likely require a combination of supply-side innovations (like carbon capture and alternative fuels) and demand-side measures—such as using cement and concrete more efficiently in buildings—rather than relying on any single technology [7]. A roadmap for China's cement industry estimates that by 2060, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) could contribute 33% of emission reductions, but low-carbon cement clinker production and alternative raw materials would together account for 55% [5]. This underscores that no single solution is enough; a multi-pronged approach is essential.
About These Sources
This answer is built on 8 peer-reviewed studies — published from 2022 to 2025, 3 from 2024 or later, 4 in Q1 journals, collectively cited 384 times — selected as the most relevant from 14 studies that passed quality screening, drawn from 66 papers retrieved from a database of over 500 million.
Sources used in this answer
Valorising desalination brine for green cement production: toward mitigating global CO2 emissions.
Using desalination brine and renewable electricity to produce green MgO cement can mitigate CO₂ at $48–$61.8 per tonne, and could theoretically supply 14–43% of global cement production by 2050.
Understanding the role of carbon nanotubes in low carbon sulfoaluminate cement-based composite
Adding carbon nanotubes (0.15% by weight) to low-carbon sulfoaluminate cement increased compressive strength by 37% and flexural strength by 32.7% compared to plain cement.
Zero-Emission Cement Plants with Advanced Amine-Based CO2 Capture.
An advanced amine-based CO₂ capture system (PZ-AMP) can achieve 99.7% capture at a cost of $72 per tonne CO₂ avoided, 18% lower than the standard 90% MEA process, and could drop below $56 per tonne with cheaper steam.
Eco-friendly concrete using by-products as partial replacement of cement
Replacing 20% of cement with ceramic waste powder increased compressive strength by 11%, tensile strength by 20%, and flexural strength by 12.5%; adding 10% rice husk ash further improved these gains.
Low carbon technology roadmap of China cement industry
A roadmap for China's cement industry predicts that by 2060, carbon reductions will come from energy efficiency (8%), alternative fuels (4%), alternative raw materials (27%), low-carbon cement (28%), and CCUS (33%).
Is net-zero feasible: Systematic review of cement and concrete decarbonization technologies
Most emerging cement decarbonization technologies are at an early stage; a multi-faceted approach coupling materials innovations, alternative fuels, and efficiencies is needed to reach net-zero.
Efficient use of cement and concrete to reduce reliance on supply-side technologies for net-zero emissions
Supply-side efforts alone can reduce 2050 CO₂ emissions by up to 80% in Japan's cement cycle; the remaining 20% gap can be bridged by efficient use of cement and concrete in buildings.
A composite low-carbon cement strategy: High ferrite cement with addition of ferroaluminate cement
Adding 0.5% ferroaluminate cement clinker to high-ferrite cement increased 3-day compressive strength by 18% and 28-day strength by 7.8%, while refining pore structure.