Cement plays a crucial role in global construction, yet it carries a heavy environmental cost. Accounting for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, cement production releases approximately 1.6 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. This would make it the fourth-largest emitter if classified as a country.
With the global construction market projected to reach USD 3.09 trillion by 2033, demand for cement will surge, further intensifying climate concerns. At the same time, governments worldwide are tightening regulations, discouraging the use of conventional high-emission cement, and restricting manufacturers from operating if they continue to rely on it.
As of July 9, 2025, the US General Services Administration, for example, indicates that construction bids that do not meet the Agency’s low-embodied-carbon materials requirements may be ineligible to access funding from the $2.15 billion appropriation.
Amid these challenges, green cement is emerging as a practical and sustainable solution. It offers manufacturers and suppliers a pathway to reduce emissions while giving them the license to operate in markets with stricter environmental regulations.
Why is traditional cement unsustainable?
The production of traditional Portland cement releases CO₂ from multiple sources. Its main raw material, limestone, emits roughly 50% of the total CO₂ when turned into clinker. Around 40% comes from burning fuels to heat the kilns, 5% comes from electricity used in the plant, and another 5% comes from transport. Together, these factors make traditional cement a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and an unsustainable option for long-term use in construction.
What is green cement?
Green cement is a sustainable type of cement engineered to reduce the environmental impact of traditional Portland cement. Instead of relying heavily on clinker, the most carbon-intensive ingredient, green cement replaces a significant portion of it with supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBFS), silica fume, or metakaolin. These materials are often industrial by-products, which reduces CO₂ emissions and helps recycle waste.
Existing and emerging regulations supporting green cement:
Public policy is gradually becoming crucial to decarbonizing the cement industry. As a globally traded commodity with tight profit margins, cement faces economic hurdles to adopting low-carbon solutions. Strong regulations and targeted incentives are crucial to addressing these barriers and accelerating the sector’s progress toward net zero.
Stimulating demand for green cement
Problem: The market for low-carbon cement remains underdeveloped because many construction firms and public agencies still default to traditional cement. This preference is driven by the lower price, wide availability, and familiarity of conventional products compared to newer green alternatives.
Policy approach: Governments are intervening through procurement rules designed to create predictable demand for low-carbon cement. These policies set strict embodied-carbon limits for materials used in publicly funded projects, ensuring contractors source greener options. They also require Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to verify actual performance, increasing transparency and holding suppliers accountable.
Examples: US “Buy Clean” laws in California, Colorado, and Washington prioritize low-carbon materials in public projects. Toronto mandates a maximum 350 kg CO₂e/m² for city-owned buildings. The U.S. Federal–State Buy Clean Partnership goes further by offering preferential bidding and contract-for-difference mechanisms to incentivize suppliers of low-carbon cement.
Revising technical standards
Problem: Many current building codes and procurement specifications are outdated, recognizing only conventional cement blends. This creates a structural barrier for introducing and scaling low-carbon alternatives in construction projects. Without formal recognition in official standards, greener cement products struggle to gain acceptance, even when they meet performance needs.
Policy approach: Governments and regulatory bodies are revising technical standards to explicitly permit low-carbon cement options. These include Portland-limestone cement (Type IL) and mixes with supplementary cementitious materials, which can reduce CO₂ emissions without compromising structural integrity. Updating these standards removes a major obstacle to adoption by ensuring greener alternatives are treated as valid and compliant options.
Examples: Marin County, California, became the first jurisdiction to mandate low-carbon concrete mixes in its building code. In the US, 44 state Departments of Transportation have approved Type IL cement, which produces about 10% less CO₂ than standard cement. These changes signal a shift toward embedding sustainability into the very specifications that govern construction materials.
Harmonizing global benchmarks
Problem: Cement producers face a fragmented system of sustainability criteria that varies by country and region. This lack of alignment makes it difficult for low-carbon products to compete in international markets. Inconsistent benchmarks also create additional costs for manufacturers who must adapt products to meet multiple, sometimes conflicting, requirements.
Policy approach: Establishing harmonized building codes and embodied-carbon thresholds can provide consistent expectations across markets. Unified standards would enable producers to meet the criteria without repeated modifications.
Examples: The International Green Construction Code (IgCC) incorporates lifecycle performance and material efficiency provisions applicable across different regions. France has introduced binding embodied-carbon limits that will progressively tighten from 2030 onward, offering a clear long-term framework for producers to plan investments.
Improving price parity
Problem: Low-carbon cement often costs more than conventional alternatives, making it less attractive for price-sensitive buyers. Higher production costs, driven by newer technologies and renewable energy inputs, create a disadvantage in competitive bidding. This price gap hinders adoption, especially in markets where upfront costs are prioritized over long-term environmental benefits.
Policy approach: Governments can help close this cost gap through targeted subsidies, green procurement quotas, and product labeling. Subsidies reduce production costs and improve price parity with conventional cement. Quotas in public projects guarantee demand, while labeling schemes make sustainable products more visible and easier for buyers to identify.
Examples: Germany’s green-industry market program provides direct subsidies, sets quotas for low-emission materials in public procurement, and introduces a labeling system to promote recognition. China has expanded its Renewable Portfolio Standards to cover cement production, requiring a higher share of renewable energy in manufacturing to lower emissions and operational costs.
Expanding climate finance access
Problem: Securing capital for upgrading cement plants or scaling innovative production processes remains challenging. Investors often perceive these projects as high-risk due to long payback periods and uncertain market demand. This lack of financing slows the transition toward lower-emission production methods and slows the pace of industry transformation.
Policy approach: Climate finance mechanisms can create new revenue streams to support investment in sustainable production. Tools such as carbon credits, emissions trading systems, and demand-side procurement signals reward emission reductions, thereby improving project profitability.
Examples: In the US and EU, carbon finance and emissions trading programs are increasingly tied to public procurement policies. This integration directs funds toward projects that meet sustainability criteria, helping channel investment into industrial-scale transitions.
How is green cement made?
Green cement is manufactured by adapting conventional cement production methods to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption. The following stages outline how the process is optimized to create a more sustainable alternative.
Raw material preparation
The process begins similarly to traditional cement production, utilizing materials such as limestone, clay, and other minerals. However, green cement often includes recycled or industrial by-products, namely fly ash or slag, from the outset, to reduce the need for raw material extraction.
Clinker reduction during grinding
In the grinding stage, a large portion of traditional clinker is replaced with low-carbon substitutes like fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, or calcined clay. This substitution is crucial for reducing emissions, as clinker is the most carbon-intensive component of cement.
The table below summarizes key low-carbon alternatives to clinker in cement production, detailing their sources, typical replacement ratios, and potential for CO₂ reduction.
Low-Carbon Alternatives to Clinker
| Material | Replacement Level ↕️ | CO₂ Reduction |
|---|
Energy-efficient kiln operation
Instead of using older, energy-heavy kilns, green cement plants use dry kilns equipped with preheaters and precalciners. These modern systems consume less fuel to achieve the high temperatures needed to process cement, improving overall energy efficiency.
Alternative fuels for heating
To reduce fossil fuel use, many plants burn alternative fuels such as biomass, municipal waste, or other organic materials. These waste-derived fuels help lower the carbon footprint of the cement-making process.
Carbon capture at advanced facilities
Some state-of-the-art green cement plants go a step further by installing carbon capture systems. These technologies trap CO₂ emissions before they enter the atmosphere, allowing the gas to be stored or reused.
Can green cement make construction truly sustainable?
Green cement is gaining attention as the construction industry seeks smarter ways and sustainable construction materials to reduce long-term environmental harm. Here are the key reasons it’s becoming a sustainable choice for builders, investors, and regulators.
- Lower emissions: Green cement significantly reduces emissions compared to conventional Portland cement. Combining Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), CCUS, waste fuels, and energy efficiency can reduce cumulative cement emissions by 39–48% in developing countries.
- Waste utilization: The integration of industrial by-products such as fly ash, ground-granulated blast-furnace slag, silica fume, and calcined clays as supplementary cementitious materials allows part of the clinker to be replaced.
- Durability and longevity: The use of admixtures in green cement enhances the durability and mechanical performance of the resulting material. Improved resistance to environmental stressors means structures require fewer repairs and have longer service life, reducing both maintenance costs and associated emissions over time.
- Lower energy use: Some innovative, eco-friendly cement processes eliminate or greatly reduce the use of fossil fuels. For example, electrochemical cement manufacturing avoids the need for conventional kilns, thereby reducing energy consumption.
- Reduced water permeability: By combining optimized admixtures with supplementary cementitious materials, green cement can reduce water permeability. This improvement increases resistance to erosion, salt attack, and cracking, contributing to extended durability and improved structural performance.
- Support for circular economy: Each year, industries produce approximately 1 billion tons of fly ash and 270–320 million tons of slag worldwide. When not reused, these by-products are typically sent to landfills, creating long-term environmental risks. Green cement can help cut landfill volumes and reduce the risk of soil and water contamination.
Is green cement as reliable as traditional cement?
Green cement is engineered to meet the same structural demands as conventional cement, with added environmental benefits. Its strength, curing behavior, and durability make it a reliable option for both small and large-scale projects.
- Strength and curing performance: Green cement with high-slag blends initially gains strength more slowly at first but matches or exceeds conventional cement within 7–28 days. Geopolymer systems using fly ash or slag activate faster, especially when steam-cured at ~80 °C for 24 hours, boosting early strength by up to 3–4 times. These systems provide flexibility in mix design while maintaining structural performance.
- Structural load capacity: Optimized green cement mixes achieve compressive strengths above 60 MPa, equal to about 6,000 tons/m² before crushing. They resist bending and pulling forces just as well as standard concrete, offering dependable performance under stress. This enables broad application in load-bearing and critical infrastructure.
- Resistance to environmental damage: Testing demonstrates strong resistance to water and chloride penetration, protecting steel reinforcements inside concrete structures. This helps prevent corrosion and slows material degradation in harsh environments. As a result, green cement structures last longer and require fewer repairs over time.
Real-world examples of green cement adoption:
Beyond lab tests, green cement has proven its value on highways, homes, and bridges. These real-world cases show it can meet technical standards while reducing emissions.
Highway Pavement – North Carolina (2025)
During the I‑40/I‑77 interchange project, Type IL cement (with high limestone and SCM content) was used alongside traditional cement. Both pavement types were installed between 2022 and 2023, allowing for a direct comparison in their performance. Results showed equivalent strength and durability, supporting the use of low-carbon cement in road construction.
3D‑Printed Villa – Dubai (2024)
A full-scale villa was printed using green concrete with 36–80% GGBFS as cement replacement. Materials used met all municipal codes, demonstrating structural reliability and compliance. The project confirmed that eco-friendly 3D-printed housing is feasible under current regulations.
Bridge Study – T-Beam vs Hollow Slab (2025)
A life-cycle assessment comparing T-beam and hollow slab bridges, using the same low carbon concrete assumptions, found that the construction, operation (maintenance), and demolition of a T-beam bridge result in about 8% overall life-cycle CO2 equivalent than a hollow slab bridge of equal span.
Life-Cycle CO₂ Emissions
Comparison of CO₂ emissions from Hollow Slab and T-Beam bridges at each stage of their life cycle
| Stage | Hollow Slab Bridge | T-Beam Bridge |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 90,761 kgCO₂e | 85,181 kgCO₂e |
| Construction | 3,158 kgCO₂e | 3,584 kgCO₂e |
| Operation | 12,978 kgCO₂e | 10,000 kgCO₂e |
| Demolition | 470 kgCO₂e | 367 kgCO₂e |
| Total | 107,367 kgCO₂e | 99,132 kgCO₂e |
The reductions occur in production (6%), operation (23%), and demolition (22%). Although construction-stage emissions are 14% higher for T-beam bridges, T-beams remain the lower-emission option overall.
Can green cement unlock new opportunities?
Cement remains vital to global infrastructure, yet its high emissions make decarbonization imperative. Regulatory, technological, and market changes are creating new opportunities for producers and investors. These changes present opportunities to innovate, reduce environmental impact, and strengthen long-term industry competitiveness.
Market growth is strong
Market growth for green cement is accelerating, creating clear opportunities for proactive stakeholders to capitalize on. By 2033, the green cement market is forecasted to reach USD 102 billion with a CAGR of 10.2%, while the traditional cement market is expected to grow at a slower 5.16% CAGR, reaching USD 673.76 billion. This rapid trajectory positions green cement as a high-potential segment that outpaces both conventional cement and the broader construction materials sector, giving producers and investors a clear early-mover advantage in a transforming industry.
Regulation secures demand
Policies such as “Buy Clean” procurement rules, embodied-carbon caps, and carbon border adjustments are reshaping the demand for cement. These measures position low-carbon cement as a default choice for public projects and a growing share of private developments. For compliant producers, this creates a reliable sales pipeline and priority access to high-value contracts.
Technology-driven growth advantage
Replacing clinker with industrial by-products such as fly ash and slag can reduce emissions by up to 40%. Integrating carbon capture, electrochemical methods, and AI-based production optimization reduces operational costs while improving energy efficiency. These advancements give producers a competitive edge by strengthening market position and creating valuable intellectual property.
Adoption is expanding across sectors
The adoption of green cement is gaining momentum, extending beyond infrastructure to sectors including commercial real estate, healthcare, education, and public facilities. Demand is driven by project requirements where the use of sustainable materials directly influences eligibility for financing and long-term asset value. Certifications such as LEED and BREEAM make low-carbon cement a strategic choice for securing funding and enhancing project market appeal.
Meeting EU standards drives exports
Europe commands over 35% of global demand while maintaining some of the strictest compliance requirements worldwide. Producers capable of meeting these benchmarks gain a competitive edge when entering other highly regulated regions. This advantage extends to the Asia-Pacific, where rapid demand growth rewards suppliers with proven credibility in compliance.
Profit gains through premium recovery
Green cement production can cost 20–30% more than conventional alternatives, but these costs are readily recoverable. Subsidies, preferential procurement contracts, and certification-linked pricing structures help recoup the added investment. Additionally, avoiding penalties tied to future non-compliance ensures producers maintain profitability while aligning with changing market and regulatory demands.
How to tap into these opportunities:
Capturing value in the green cement market requires more than swapping in a lower-carbon material. Successfully executing a green construction strategy that includes green cement as a key feature depends on the markets you can access, the regulatory regimes you are exposed to, and changes in the trade policy landscape. Below are some considerations that can help you determine if there is an opportunity in sustainable construction and if green cement is the key to accessing that market.
Start with the regulations
The first step is to understand the regulatory landscape and identify where your business is most exposed. Procurement rules, embodied-carbon limits, and certification schemes vary widely, and knowing how they apply to your portfolio helps distinguish between areas of risk and areas of growth.
Assess your position
Companies then need to take a closer look at their own exposure. How much of your business depends on meeting circular economy goals? Is green cement a compliance requirement, a competitive differentiator, or both? Answering these questions provides the foundation for deciding where to invest.
Map peers and partners
A clear view of the competitive and partnership landscape is equally important. Many peers are already testing low-carbon mixes, forming alliances, or building intellectual property. At the same time, new suppliers are entering the market with different technologies, each with unique performance characteristics and cost implications.
Validate demand
Market adoption ultimately depends on demand. Contractors and developers will evaluate green cement on strength, curing time, durability, and price. Understanding how end users evaluate these factors helps companies avoid overinvesting in solutions that look promising in theory but fall short in practice.
Build your roadmap
Bringing these insights together creates an opportunity roadmap. The most promising pathways are not always the greenest on paper but rather those that balance compliance, cost, and market acceptance.
At PreScouter, we work with numerous companies that are incorporating sustainability into their growth strategy. We synthesize the results of deep technical analysis of foundational technologies with insights from interviews with key stakeholders who influence buying decisions, creating a customized opportunity landscape. We then work with the client to build an implementation plan that accounts for projected developments and models the prospective ROI and climate impact of a range of strategies.
