Lafarge completes industrial-scale trial of new clinker for low carbon cement

Lafarge has announced the completion of an industrial trail for Aether^®, a new generation of clinker for lower carbon cements. The 10-day trail took place at the company’s Le Teil plant in France, involving around 100 people. During the trial, 10 000 t of Aether^® clinker was produced, indicating that it is viable on an industrial scale.

The new clinker follows a research and development project carried out by Lafarge over several years, which was supported by the European Union as part of its LIFE+ programme, a financial instrument for environmental projects. The clinker has a new chemical composition that could reduce CO2 emissions by 25 – 30%. This is due to the fact that there is less limestone in the raw mix, grinding is easier thus reducing energy consumption, and the burning process takes place at a lower temperature of approximately 13000 °C.

Aether^® cements possess properties similar to those of ordinary Portland cement and can also be produced in traditional cement plants following small process adjustments. The first products from this new range are due to be launched in 2014.

The project is in line with Lafarge’s ‘Sustainability Ambitions 2020’, which include cutting emissions by 33%/t of cement.

Adapted from press release by Louise Fordham.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/16012013/cement_lafarge_low_carbon_cement_clinker_environment_172/