Project Aether aims to develop a new class of lower-carbon clinkers for cement production. Clinker is the main component used to produce cement, through grinding and mixing it with additions like sulphates, and cementitious materials such as fly ash, slag or other pozzolanic materials.
Aether cements are expected to offer similar performances to conventional Portland cement in various concrete applications.
Less limestone is required to produce Aether cements, which are also manufactured at lower temperatures and using less energy than conventional Portland cement.
This allows a 25-30% reduction in CO2 emissions during the production process.
Aether clinkers can be made from conventional raw materials that are suitable for use in large scale cement manufacture: limestone, clay, iron and bauxite. They can also be produced in existing industrial installations – ‘rotary kilns’ – after certain process adaptations have been made.
How Project Aether aims to reduce the carbon footprint of cement production :
