Lafarge accelerate innovation strategy
AETHER, an innovative project developed by Lafarge to reduce the CO2 footprint of cement, is receiving support from the European Union under the European ‘LIFE+’ programme, a financing instrument that supports environmental projects.
Developed in collaboration with the Institute for Building Materials in Poland (MBM) and the British Building Research Establishment (BRE), the project will contribute to continuing reductions in the Group’s CO2 emissions.
Aether is a new cement clinker chemistry that has been tested both in the laboratory and in an industrial kiln. Results have shown that it could represent an alternative to traditional Portland cement.
Manufactured in a traditional cement plant kiln (after just a few modifications), it offers comparable technical properties and results in a lower overall environmental footprint.
By using Aether, Lafarge will be able to reduce the level of limestone and increase the amount of gypsum, clay and bauxite, providing a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions; and reduce the firing temperature required for the chemical reaction to occur, providing a 15% reduction in energy consumption.
For more than 20 years, Lafarge have been working to reduce their CO2 emissions through the use of cement additives, such as fly ash and slag, to reduce the amount of burnt limestone; as well as using alternative fuels and improvements in energy efficiency, to reduce the proportion of fossil fuels used by cement plants.
Developed in collaboration with the Institute for Building Materials in Poland (MBM) and the British Building Research Establishment (BRE), the project will contribute to continuing reductions in the Group’s CO2 emissions.
Aether is a new cement clinker chemistry that has been tested both in the laboratory and in an industrial kiln. Results have shown that it could represent an alternative to traditional Portland cement.
Manufactured in a traditional cement plant kiln (after just a few modifications), it offers comparable technical properties and results in a lower overall environmental footprint.
By using Aether, Lafarge will be able to reduce the level of limestone and increase the amount of gypsum, clay and bauxite, providing a 25% reduction in CO2 emissions; and reduce the firing temperature required for the chemical reaction to occur, providing a 15% reduction in energy consumption.
For more than 20 years, Lafarge have been working to reduce their CO2 emissions through the use of cement additives, such as fly ash and slag, to reduce the amount of burnt limestone; as well as using alternative fuels and improvements in energy efficiency, to reduce the proportion of fossil fuels used by cement plants.
