80% recycled cement matches strength of Portland cement, cuts emissions by 61%
At the heart of this breakthrough is a heat-treatment process.
Engineers at the University of São Paulo and Princeton University have developed an innovative method to recycle cement waste, transforming demolition debris into a sustainable, low-carbon alternative to conventional Portland cement.
The research demonstrated that mixtures containing up to 80% recycled cement achieved the same strength as Portland cement while producing far fewer emissions. Portland cement, the most widely used binder in concrete, is responsible for around 8% of global carbon emissions.
If deployed alongside other emerging alternatives, this new approach could reduce the industry’s emissions by up to 61%, far surpassing current estimates from the Global Cement and Concrete Association.