Foundations of Change: The Next Frontier of Cement and Concrete Innovation

The cement and concrete sector accounts for nearly 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, primarily due to clinker production. Decarbonization requires a three-pronged innovation approach: 'Make Less' (reducing demand through design and efficiency), 'Make Better' (improving existing processes via supplementary cementitious materials and carbon storage), and 'Make New' (developing disruptive, zero-clinker chemistries and electrified production). While near-zero emission cement currently represents less than 1 percent of the market, the report highlights that scaling these technologies requires overcoming fragmented markets, outdated prescriptive standards, and a significant funding gap, as the sector has received less than 1 percent of climate tech venture capital over the last five years.

• The cement and concrete industry is a major global emitter, with nearly 8 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions stemming from the sector. Approximately 88 percent of this carbon footprint is caused by the dual challenge of fossil fuel combustion and the chemical reaction involved in producing clinker.
• There is a severe investment gap in the sector; while the World Economic Forum estimates a need for $1.4 trillion in cumulative investment through 2050 to reach net-zero, cement and concrete have received less than 1 percent of climate tech venture capital (approximately $1.4 billion of $205 billion) over the past five years.
• The 'Make Less' strategy, focusing on smarter design, material efficiency, and recycling, could provide about 22 percent of the emissions reductions needed for net-zero by 2050. This includes using efficient mixes, extending building lifetimes, and employing AI-driven systems to optimize material use.
• The 'Make Better' approach focuses on reducing clinker content through supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and carbon sequestration. Examples include using ground glass pozzolans to replace up to half of cement or integrating biochar-based additives to turn infrastructure into a long-term carbon sink.
• The 'Make New' category involves disruptive technologies such as zero-clinker binders, geopolymer blocks, and electrified production. This includes plasma-based electric arc calciners and electrochemical processes that transform industrial wastes into binders without relying on fossil fuels.
• Outdated prescriptive standards (such as ASTM) that define specific ingredients rather than material performance hinder the adoption of new technologies. The report advocates for Performance Specifications and Standards (PSS), which evaluate materials based on how they perform.
• Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is identified as a necessary component for full decarbonization, with the potential to capture roughly 39 percent of cement sector emissions by 2050, provided the supporting infrastructure is developed.

APA

RMI (2025). Foundations of Change: The Next Frontier of Cement and Concrete Innovation. https://rmi.org/resources/foundations-of-change-the-next-frontier-of-cement-and-concrete-innovation/

Chicago

RMI. Foundations of Change: The Next Frontier of Cement and Concrete Innovation. 2025. https://rmi.org/resources/foundations-of-change-the-next-frontier-of-cement-and-concrete-innovation/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Foundations of Change: The Next Frontier of Cement and Concrete Innovation |date=14 November 2025 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/foundations-of-change-the-next-frontier-of-cement-and-concrete-innovation/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2025foundations, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Foundations of Change: The Next Frontier of Cement and Concrete Innovation}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2025}, month = nov, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/foundations-of-change-the-next-frontier-of-cement-and-concrete-innovation/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }