A recent study by the UC Davis Materials Decarbonization and Sustainability Center published in Nature Communications has revealed that the climate benefits of cement carbonation, a process where concrete absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, have been significantly overestimated. The research team of Sabbie Miller, Alissa Kendall, Elisabeth Van Roijen, and Kati Sethares asserts that traditional methods fail to account for the time lag between CO2 emissions during cement production and the much slower rate of CO2 absorption through carbonation. This miscalculation has led to an inflated perception of the technology’s potential to offset emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.
The study emphasizes the importance of considering the full life cycle of cement, including emissions from demolition and the energy-intensive process of crushing concrete. Researchers also highlight the potential of supplementary cementitious materials to reduce emissions and enhance carbonation, while stressing that the primary benefits stem from upfront reductions in production emissions. This important research underscores the need for a more accurate assessment of carbonation’s climate impact and calls for a comprehensive approach to decarbonizing the cement industry.
Read the full report in Nature Communications.