Major Milestone: New Belitic Clinker
The Carbon4Minerals project is pushing the boundaries of sustainable cement production with innovative carbonation technologies. One key approach is carbonation hardening, where CO₂ reacts with fresh concrete to enhance mechanical properties while actively reducing carbon emissions. To support this, we have successfully developed a belitic clinker derived from non-traditional raw material streams, including steel slags. This innovation reduces reliance on conventional resources, paving the way for a low-carbon binder-concrete system with a significantly smaller CO₂ footprint.
This milestone was achieved through extensive laboratory testing at VITO, thanks to the contributions of Arne Peys, Peter Nielsen, and our coordinator, Liesbeth Horckmans. Following these tests, we successfully conducted our first rotary kiln trial at Heidelberg Materials, led by Nicolas Pato. The results are highly promising, yielding perfectly formed clinker granules with the targeted composition.
One of the most exciting characteristics of this new belitic clinker is its self-pulverizing nature, which facilitates easier grinding - an important advantage for industrial-scale processing. We are now moving forward with carbonation hardening tests, beginning with cement paste and progressing toward full concrete applications.
Beyond clinker production, the Carbon4Minerals project explores the broader potential of calcium silicate clinkers, investigating recycled concrete components and steel slags as key raw materials. By analyzing the distribution of elements in steel slags and their transformation during enforced carbonation and clinker production, we aim to refine material treatment processes and optimize binder performance. Future evaluations will include heat and mass balance studies, ensuring that our approach is both scientifically sound and industrially viable.
Carbonation hardening plays a crucial role in this innovation, accelerating mechanical performance development to achieve appreciable strength within just one day of curing. As we continue refining our data and processes, we are committed to driving real-world impact in the cement and construction industries.