Pilot projects prove H₂ role in cement decarbonisation

Hydrogen can take a relatively limited role in cement manufacturing, to decarbonise the heating component of the industry’s huge CO₂ emissions

The cement industry produces a lot of carbon dioxide emissions—on par with the steel industry at around 8pc of the global total based on some estimates—but is less suitable for using green or blue hydrogen to decarbonise for a simple intrinsic reason. The process of calcination, whereby limestone is heated to break it down into calcium oxide and CO2, causes almost half of the emissions from cement production and can therefore not be avoided. The combustion of fossil fuels to heat the lime and cement kilns account for only about 40pc of total emissions, while electricity use for other parts of the plant makes up the rest. “The fast adoption of this new hydrogen-based technology is a cle