Sector Overview

The document identifies cement manufacturing as responsible for 1.1% of total U.S. emissions, with 60% of those emissions stemming from the chemical process of calcination. It highlights three primary decarbonization pathways: feedstock substitutions and alternative production processes (including non-kiln pathways), clinker substitution using materials like slag or calcined clays, and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS). To accelerate adoption, the document recommends low-interest loans, public procurement standards requiring Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), state-funded pilot programs, and Contracts for Difference (CfDs).

• Cement manufacturing accounts for 69 MMT CO2e, representing 1.1% of total U.S. emissions, with approximately 60% of these emissions resulting from the chemical process of calcination.
• Three main technology pathways for decarbonization are identified: CCUS, clinker substitution (using slag, fly ash, calcined clays, and limestone), and alternative production processes that avoid kilns entirely. Startups Sublime Systems and Brimstone Energy are developing non-traditional pathways with full production planned as early as 2026.
• Policy recommendations to reduce sector emissions include providing low-interest loans for low-carbon technologies, implementing public procurement standards based on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and using Contracts for Difference (CfDs) to bridge the cost gap between conventional and low-carbon cement.

APA

Clean Air Task Force (n.d.). Sector Overview. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175342/CATF-Cement-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf

Chicago

Clean Air Task Force. Sector Overview. n.d. https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175342/CATF-Cement-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Clean Air Task Force |title=Sector Overview |url=https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175342/CATF-Cement-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{cleanairtaskforcendsector, author = {{Clean Air Task Force}}, title = {{Sector Overview}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, url = {https://cdn.catf.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/14175342/CATF-Cement-Manufacturing-Factsheet.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }