In 2018, 7.3Mt of CO2 emissions were attributable to the UK concrete and cement sector; 4.4Mt were from clinker production. As the UK moves towards net-zero by 2050, the aim of the Cement 2 Zero (C2Z) project is to utilise an existing processing route, steel recycling using an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF), to product clinker for cement production. This project will produce 20 tonnes of cement clinker via this innovative process.

Portland Cement (PC), the most common cement worldwide, has similar characteristics to Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) flux. Our research has proven that PC can be made from recycled cement in an EAF during the steel recycling process. C2Z will demonstrate, on an industrial scale, the production process for Cambridge Electric Cement (CEC) and its utilisation in a construction project in the UK.

Described by Tarmac's Innovation Director as "the most exciting option for future cement", CEC is the world's first potentially zero emissions PC, made by recycling used cement in a symbiotic process with steel recycling. Not only will this transform cement production, it will diversify and expand steel recycling, improve steel recycling yields and reduce process emissions. Through growing UK steel recycling to process 11Mt of steel scrap annually, matching UK scrap production, CEC production could meet 25% of UK cement demand.

C2Z will investigate both the technical and commercial aspects required to successfully commercialise the process. This will involve Techno-Economic Assessment, Life Cycle Assessment, the construction of a prototype crusher for concrete disaggregation in Livingston, Scotland and a slag cooling system at CELSA, South Wales. 20 tonnes of CEC will be produced in an EAF at CELSA, which will be evaluated for its use in a UK construction project developed by Atkins, Balfour Beatty, and Tarmac. C2Z unites expertise from the Materials Processing Institute, Cambridge University and the complete supply chain including Tarmac, CELSA, Balfour Beattie, Atkins, Brewster Brothers (a fast-growing SME), and Days Aggregates.

Using the EAF to recycle cement to reduce waste, energy, and emissions is a novel cross-sector technology adaption and the process has been proven and patented by Cambridge University (application: 2110292.6). This innovative industrial demonstrator will enable a step-change in cement production, the most important, prevalent, and CO2 emitting construction material. This innovating project enables co-production of two critical materials, steel and cement, via one near zero emissions process, transforming a waste by-product of steel recycling into a valuable material.