Cement is an essential part of our lives. We use it in all sorts of construction; schools, offices, houses and the list goes on.
Cement, after fossil fuels and deforestation, is the third-largest source of man-made carbon dioxide, and it is the second most used material on earth after water.

Around 5 – 8% of global CO2 emissions result from cement manufacture, making this product one of the more polluting
activities undertaken by mankind. It seems that we're long overdue for a new 'environmentally friendly' building material.

Fortunately, a company called Zeobond have developed a new geopolymer that is structurally as strong as standard cement, but will produce far less carbon emissions.

Geopolymers = chains or networks of mineral molecules linked with co-valent bonds.

Co-valent bonds = the strongest type of chemical bond and are created between atoms with similar electronegativity
(the ability of an atom to attract electrons).

The concrete (cement mixed with gravel) that Romans used in their structures was very simple and not able to support as much weight as modern concrete can, but it was much 'greener'.



Concrete has high carbon emissions because 60% of the actual emissions are produced in the chemical reaction that is necessary to actually produce it.

Cement is made by burning fossil fuels to heat limestone and clay to over 1300°C. So hot in fact, that CO2 (carbon dioxide - a greenhouse gas) is discharged from the limestone.

The chemical reaction for this is:



In normal cement production, a calcium based system is used. However in the environmentally friendly cement, an aluminium silicon system is used. This new method will decrease carbon emissions by up to 80-90%.

Polymer = made up of many many molecules all strung together to form long chains.

Inorganic = without carbon atoms in the chain.

Manufacturing Process of Cement (note high temp. needed)


Imagine all of the buildings in the world. They will eventually be knocked down and replaced. If Zeobond's new concrete is used, the world's carbon emissions would be greatly reduced.

By Alastair Wadlow