Zero-Emission Circular Concrete Update 2024

The project Zero Emission Circular Concrete develops a CO2-neutral, high-quality, and resource-efficient concrete cycle starting with end-of-life concrete. A cement clinker with a reduced CO2 footprint is processed from waste concrete fines at a strongly reduced temperature of approximately 1000°C. The main clinker mineral is belite, Ca2SiO4. The residual CO2 is released in concentrated form and used for the technical carbonation of either waste concrete fines as supplementary cementitious material or of coarse crushed waste concrete. The coarse fraction is treated in a new process based on a pressurized autoclave, where hardening by carbonation improves the properties of the recycled aggregate. Both carbonation options are investigated on a laboratory scale.