ACT is the scalable low-carbon cement solution

Alternative Materials

the key to decarbonising cement quickly and cost effectively.
We know clinker is the source of cement’s carbon footprint problem and now we have an answer.

What Are SCMs and why are they important?

Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) are one of the most powerful options we have in the search for low-carbon cement and concrete solutions. They can reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production by using industrial by-products like fly ash, silica fume, and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS).

A range of SCMs are already available in many regions at industrial scale and low cost, and they can deliver game-changing carbon reduction – sustainably, cost-effectively, and quickly – with the added benefit of extending the useful life of existing materials through circularity

  • Data
Available SCMs: source ALCCC

ACT Unlocks the Full Potential of SCMs for Clinker Reduction

While using SCMs to make low-carbon cement and concrete is not new, what is new is our ability to scale them. ACT technology makes this a reality by maximising the   performance and decarbonisation potential of abundantly available filler materials and locally sourced industrial and natural SCMs.

  • ACT can double the performance of conventional cement so that we use half the cement currently used to produce the same effect. This immediately delivers a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from the cement industry – 3.5% of global CO2 emissions.
  • ACT uses these SCMs much more efficiently. It allows greater use of the low-carbon constituents of cement, boosts the makeup of the cement, and reduces the use of the high-carbon elements. This shifts from a 50% reduction in the carbon footprint of the cement industry globally to a 70% reduction in the carbon footprint.
  • Ultimately it results in a scalable, rapidly deployable technology for mass market cements, which uses between 15-25% clinker compared to an average of 70-80% in conventional cements today.

 

No other scalable low-carbon cement technology developed to date can reduce the amount of clinker in cement while retaining or improving all of the properties that make concrete the world’s most popular building material, namely its workability, strength, durability, and cost effectiveness.

In summary using ACT with SCMs delivers:

  • Enhanced performance

    allowing the use of SCMs at higher volumes

  • More efficient integration of SCMs

    into cement and concrete formulations

  • Fully scalable cost-effective solutions

    which can be deployed globally and deliver up to 70% reduction in cement’s carbon footprint

Carbon changes everything

As carbon regulation tightens, the need for scalable, affordable solutions is urgent. SCMs are one of the few technologies that can deliver deep emissions cuts now.

With the right support, SCMs can:

  • Cut cement emissions

    by up to 50% by 2030

  • Position the industry for net-zero

    by 2050

  • Reduce dependence on high-cost technologies

    like CCUS

Scaling SCM Adoption Globally

To maximise the impact of SCMs, global efforts must focus on:

 

  1. Harmonising SCM definitions and regulations – SCM standards vary across regions, creating trade barriers. A unified approach would facilitate broader adoption.
  2. Developing new SCM sources – Emerging SCMs such as steel slags, calcined clays, recycled concrete fines, and synthetic SCMs must be further explored and brought to market.
  3. Optimising local supply chains – Since SCMs are not uniformly distributed worldwide, local sourcing and beneficiation are essential to avoid excessive transportation costs.
  4. Driving change with public procurement – In Europe alone, 40–45% of cement is procured through public projects. By mandating carbon thresholds and clinker substitution governments can rapidly scale demand for low-carbon cement and create marke
A construction worker in a yellow helmet and vest smooths freshly poured concrete using a screed, with rebar mats visible underneath.

Subtract the pollution. Add the solution.

The time for action is now

The Future of Low-Carbon Cement

The cement industry stands at a crossroads. Continuing business as usual will not deliver on global climate goals.

However, with a concerted effort to develop and deploy todays and tomorrow’s SCMs efficiently, the industry can achieve deep and rapid decarbonisation. By reducing clinker dependence, leveraging emerging SCMs, and implementing advanced material science, we can make concrete production more sustainable without sacrificing performance. Most importantly we can deliver a cost-effective and efficient solution that work wherever concrete is used in the world.