Cement is responsible for approximately 5% of man-made CO2. Production of one ton of Portland cement-the industry standard-typically emits 800 kg of CO2. Emissions are driven by the processing of limestone (carbonate) raw materials and use of fossil fuel energy. For every ton of Portland cement substituted by Novacem, CO2 emissions will be reduced by up to 850 kg.

Novacem is carbon negative cement based on magnesium oxide manufactured from magnesium silicates, of which more than 10,000 billion tons exist worldwide. No carbon emissions are released from the raw material by leaving limestone and its stored carbon in the ground. Additionally, low carbon fuel such as biomass can be used to drive production, and manufacture includes the creation of magnesium carbonates which absorb CO2. Overall, more CO2 is absorbed than emitted during cement production.

Novacem cement is currently being produced on a pilot level in London as part of a testing and development program and is currently working towards the construction of a Novacem Industrial Pilot Plant. The cement is not yet available for purchase, but Novacem expects it to be in full-scale production from 2014-15. Novacem is a transformational solution to cement CO2 emissions and will empower societies to choose more sustainable construction as they develop.

Designed by
Sandeep Rana - India, Miles Holt - England, Nicholas Duggan - England, Daniel Bowden - England, Dr. Diego Martinez-Velandia - Colombia, Juan Munoz - Spain, Dr. Radim Skapa - Czech Republic, William Mora - Venezuela, John Chandiyamba - Malawi, Gu Xiaotian - China, Syed Ali - Bangladesh, Dr. Richelieu Barranco - Colombia, Lucy King - England, Dr. Hai Xiang Lee - China, Claudia Franco - Mexico, Dr. John Prendergast - Ireland, Howard Simons - England, Stuart Evans - England, Dr. Nikolaos Vlasopoulos - Greece, David Walkerdine - England and Dr. Amutha Devaraj - India