Cement's Dirty Secret: A Breakthrough in Plasma Heating Holds Promise for a Cleaner Industry Cement is the world's most consumed manufactured material, with a massive carbon problem that stems from its sheer scale of production over a billion tons of CO2 per year.
Its importance to modern infrastructure only exacerbates the issue; as we continue to build and rebuild our cities, we're simultaneously contributing to the climate crisis that threatens their existence.
At the heart of cement's emissions lies its production process, where fossil fuel powered kilns heat limestone, clay, and other ingredients to incredibly high temperatures.