With beyond 2.5 billion tons of CO₂ released every yearthe cement industry represents approx 7% of global emissions. It is in this context that a new system is inserted located a Saint-Maximinin the French Department of Oise, where the company Neocem has started the production of a Low carbon emissions binder derived fromrecovery clay.
The raw material comes from Excavations of the Grand Paris Express projectone of the largest construction sites in Europe. A material considered a waste so far, is now re -evaluated through a process of Flash-Calcinazionea technique already known in Roman times, now updated with high efficiency technologies. The result is a product intended to partially replace the conventional cement, contributing to the reduction of environmental impact construction.
From the circular economy a concrete response to the impact of traditional cement
At the basis of the project there is a simple principle: Do not extract new materialbut enhance what has already been excavated. The initiative was born from the Neo-Eco group, active in the sector of recovery of industrial waste. The Saint-Maximin system, first of its kind in France, has a production capacity of 100,000 tons per yearwith a potential doubling up to 200,000 tons in a short time.
Unlike traditional techniques, this solution does not involve the opening of new quarries nor further extractive processes. All the material used comes from excavation lands already availabletransformed into a binder thanks to a quick and controlled thermal treatment. This approach allows one significant reduction of emissionscontributing to one more sustainable management of building materials.
LC3 cement: high technical performance with less environmental impact
The binder obtained is used for the production of LC3 cements (Limestone Calcined Clay Cement)a mixture that involves the presence of:
This combination allows you to maintain the technical characteristics required by European regulationswhile reducing emissions related to the production of cement. The process is patented and developed for consume less energy compared to traditional methods, and is the result of four years of research conducted together with institutions such as Ademe (French agency for ecological transition) e Mine-Télécom Nord-European.
With a Annual demand of about 18 million tons of cement only in Francethe use of alternative binders represents one of the most effective strategies to reduce the environmental impact of the construction sector, without compromise in terms of performance. The Saint-Maximin plant represents a first step towards one New decentralized production chaindesigned to be replicated in other territories. The goal is Install new systems near excavation sites And Use local resourcesreducing transport and stimulating the circular economy.
