The cement and concrete industry are moving towards a circular economy approach to address environmental challenges and contribute to the sustainability of the construction sector. The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) promotes this approach with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Integrating circular principles into cement and concrete production and design is key to creating a more resilient and greener industry, establishing standardized policies and procedures at all stages of the process.
According to the World Economic Forum, 100 billion tons of materials enter the global economy every year, of which almost half are used for engineering and construction. Growth in emerging economies, increasing population and urbanization require large amounts of resources for infrastructure and housing, which is also happening in developed economies with intensification and renovation projects.
To meet this challenge, an approach based on circular economies is crucial. This model seeks to reduce the demand for resources, optimizing manufacturing, design and lifespan of projects, while minimizing waste and encouraging its reuse. These principles are increasingly applicable to the life cycle of cement and concrete, helping to create a more sustainable and efficient industry.
Before understanding how the cement and concrete industry use circular economies, it is important to understand the concept. The circular economy seeks to eliminate waste and maximize the use of resources, unlike the traditional linear model. This is achieved by closing cycles, transforming waste into raw materials; slowing down cycles, prolonging the useful life of products; and narrowing cycles, optimizing the use of resources such as recycled aggregates in concrete.
The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) proposes the “9Rs” to apply the circular economy to materials such as cement and concrete. For this industry, only 6 can be adapted, these include reducing by design, recycling, repurposing, reusing, rejecting and repairing rather than replacing. These principles are key in construction due to the durability and recyclability of cement and concrete, which allows the circular economy to be applied effectively in this sector.
The GCCA and its members have integrated circular economy principles into their key strategies, aligning them with the Climate Ambition Statement and the Net Zero 2050 Roadmap, with the aim of achieving carbon neutrality in the cement and concrete industry by 2050. Although it is thought otherwise, the sector is already implementing these principles at all stages of the material life cycle, from raw material procurement to end-of-life recycling.
The application of circular economy principles, based on UNEP’s “9Rs”, is manifested in various actions. In product and project design, the use of recycled materials is optimized, and durability is improved, such as the use of fly ash in concrete. In addition, recycling focuses on replacing traditional raw materials through co-processing of waste in clinker production and recycling end-of-life concrete to produce new aggregates. Finally, the reuse and repurpose of concrete structures, such as the use of prefabricated elements or the conversion of buildings, extends the useful life of the material and reduces the need for new construction.
The cement and concrete industry are driving the development of new technologies to increase circularity in the sector, through research and innovation. Advances such as the use of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCM), such as fly ash and blast slag, which partially replace clinker, reducing the carbon footprint of cement and improving the durability of concrete, are highlighted. In addition, technologies are being explored to improve the recarbonation of concrete, a process that allows the material to absorb CO2 from the environment, contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions in the long term and helping to combat climate change.
These two industries, under the leadership of the GCCA, are adopting circular economy principles, representing a significant shift towards sustainability. This approach will not only reduce environmental impact but also open new opportunities for innovation and value creation within the sector.
The GCCA recognizes the challenges of transitioning to a circular economy in construction but also highlights the great potential rewards. To achieve this, collaboration between all actors in the value chain, from producers to end users, will be essential to unlock the full potential of the circular economy.
The Association’s commitment to circular economies not only responds to current environmental challenges but also reflects a proactive vision for the cement and concrete industry to lead the transition to a more sustainable future.
Source: gccassociation.org
