Decarbonize the cement-concrete sector by manufacturing a low-carbon concrete
Article REF: REX101 V1

Decarbonize the cement-concrete sector by manufacturing a low-carbon concrete

Authors : Maxime COCHEREAU, Léo KOKOSOWSKI, Prosper MAZET, Julie MEJANE, Mathilde MILLAN, Christine SESSOAFIO

Publication date: December 10, 2025 | Lire en français

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Overview

ABSTRACT

In 2024, France's territorial emissions were 376 Mt CO2eq, , including 57 Mt CO2eq from the building sector. These emissions are directly due to the production of building materials and the operation of buildings (heating, air conditioning, etc.).

The article does not go into detail about the many ways in which emissions from this sector can be reduced, but focuses on the decarbonisation of the cement-concrete industry, and more specifically on feedback from the deployment of low-clinker concrete by the company 3 Béton, a concrete formulated using recycled raw materials in a short circuit, all without changing building methods or the economics of construction.

Note that extraterritorial emissions are not taken into account in this feedback.

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AUTHORS

  • Maxime COCHEREAU: Student at ENTPE

  • Léo KOKOSOWSKI: Student at ENTPE

  • Prosper MAZET: Student at ENTPE

  • Julie MEJANE: Student at ENTPE

  • Mathilde MILLAN: Student at ENTPE

  • Christine SESSOAFIO: Responsible for heritage management at ENTPE

 INTRODUCTION

The UNEP report on the global state of buildings and construction indicates that in 2022, these two sectors will account for approximately 21% of global CO 2 emissions, including energy and processes.

These emissions come partly from the construction/demolition phase (materials and processes) and partly from the use of buildings (heating and/or air conditioning energy), hence the importance of raising awareness across the board.

Reducing these GHG emissions involves, in particular, decarbonizing the cement and concrete industry: the 16 Mt of cement produced annually in France emit more than 10 Mt CO 2 eq, or approximately 12.5% of the industry's greenhouse gas emissions in France. In addition, 2,923,000 tons of cement were imported in 2024, further increasing emissions.

Based on these findings, the company 3Béton has committed to the systematic production of low-carbon concrete, the results of which are discussed in this article.

It should be noted that other approaches can also help decarbonize the building sector: energy-efficient construction, energy-efficient housing, the energy mix (with a significant share of renewable energies where possible), and the production of new, lower-emission materials.

Key points

Field: Sustainable building materials

Companies involved: 3Béton, Holcim, Hoffmann Green Cement, Material Evolution, CemVision, BioZeroc, Vicat

Technologies/methods involved: Substitution of clinker with steel slag, formulation of low-carbon concrete

Sectors: Building and Public Works (BTP), sustainable construction

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KEYWORDS

building   |   recycling   |   building materials   |   decarbonization   |   cement   |   low carbon concrete   |   clinker

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Decarbonizing the cement-concrete industry by manufacturing low-carbon concrete

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