Knowledge Forum

The Carbon Crisis of Traditional Portland Cement

• Every ton of Portland cement produced releases 0.8 tons of CO₂ into the atmosphere. This comes from two main sources: the calcination of limestone (a chemical reaction that releases trapped carbon) and the fossil fuels burned to power cement kilns (which operate at 1,450°C).
• With global cement demand projected to grow 23% by 2050 (per the International Energy Agency), continuing to rely on Portland cement will make meeting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target nearly impossible.

• For construction firms, this isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a business risk. New policies like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) are penalizing high-carbon materials and rewarding green alternatives, making carbon footprint a critical factor in project viability.

  
  

• 

• MgO Cement: How It Cuts Emissions (and Absorbs CO₂)

• Magnesium oxide cement solves Portland cement’s carbon problem at its core, with two game-changing advantages:

• 1. Ultra-Low Carbon Production

• MgO cement is made from magnesite (magnesium carbonate) or brucite (magnesium hydroxide)—minerals that require far less energy to process than limestone.
• The calcination temperature for magnesite is 700–900°C, compared to 1,450°C for limestone. This cuts fossil fuel use (and associated emissions) by 50–60%.
• Overall, MgO cement’s production carbon footprint is 50–80% lower than Portland cement (source: University of Cambridge Sustainable Construction Research, 2024). A ton of MgO cement emits just 0.1–0.3 tons of CO₂, versus 0.8 tons for Portland cement.

• 2. Carbon Sequestration During Hardening

• Unlike Portland cement, which releases CO₂ throughout its lifecycle, MgO cement absorbs CO₂ as it cures.
• As MgO cement reacts with water and atmospheric CO₂, it forms stable magnesium carbonate (a naturally occurring mineral). This process sequesters up to 0.3 tons of CO₂ per ton of MgO cement over its lifetime.
• For large-scale projects (e.g., a 10,000 sq.m commercial building), this means the cement itself can offset a significant portion of the project’s carbon emissions—moving beyond “low-carbon” to “carbon-negative” potential.

• 

• Align with Global Policies & Green Certifications

• For construction firms targeting international markets, MgO cement is a direct path to complying with strict climate regulations and unlocking financial incentives:

• EU Markets

• CBAM (effective 2026) will tax imports of high-carbon materials, including Portland cement. MgO cement’s low footprint exempts it from these tariffs, giving European projects a cost advantage.
• Meets requirements for BREEAM (U.K.) and DGNB (Germany) green building certifications, which award points for low-carbon materials—critical for winning government contracts and premium tenants.

• U.S. Markets

• The IRA offers tax credits of up to $5 per square foot for buildings that meet strict carbon reduction targets. MgO cement’s low emissions and sequestration potential make it easy to qualify for these incentives.
• Aligns with LEED v4.1’s “Low-Carbon Materials” credit, which requires projects to reduce embodied carbon (the carbon footprint of materials) by 10% or more—MgO cement can cut embodied carbon by 30–50% compared to Portland cement.

• Global Net-Zero Targets

• Countries including Canada, Japan, and Australia have pledged to reach net-zero by 2050. MgO cement lets construction firms contribute to these goals while avoiding future regulatory risks—no need to overhaul existing workflows (MgO cement works with standard construction equipment and techniques).

• Why MgO Cement Isn’t Just “Green”—It’s Practical

• Sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on performance. MgO cement matches or exceeds Portland cement in key metrics:
• 28-day compressive strength: 30–60 MPa (meets ACI 318 and EN 197 standards for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings).
• Low shrinkage (1/3 that of Portland cement), reducing crack risk and improving durability.
• Compatibility with existing mixes: Can be blended with Portland cement (up to 30%) to reduce emissions without sacrificing strength.
• For example, a recent office building project in Berlin used MgO cement for its foundation and structural slabs. The result: a 42% reduction in embodied carbon compared to a Portland cement equivalent, and the project qualified for BREEAM “Excellent” certification—unlocking a 5% rent premium from eco-conscious tenants.

• 

• 
  

•