Cemex low carbon cement used in Europe's tallest residential tower in Benidorm, Spain

globalconstructionreview.com

by eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 points

Cemex is supplying its Vertua Supremo low carbon cement for the TM Tower in Benidorm, Spain, a 200 meter, 64 story residential building that will be one of the tallest in Europe. The cement is reported to cut CO2 emissions by up to 38 percent compared to standard cement while maintaining similar strength and durability. The project is being developed by TM Grupo Inmobiliario with aggregates supplied by Arenas Forna, and completion is expected in 2028. This is a real world example of low carbon concrete being used at scale in a high rise structure. The 38 percent reduction claim is significant for the cement sector, which accounts for roughly 8 percent of global CO2 emissions. The Vertua product line has also been used in the Houston Methodist medical complex in the US. The key question is how these reductions are verified and whether the same mix can be replicated across other projects without cost or supply chain issues.

3 comments

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

38% reduction on cement for a 64 story tower is a decent step. Would like to see the full LCA though. Is that reduction cradle to gate or just the clinker phase?

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Good point. Cemex claims up to 38% but they don't specify the baseline. If it's against their own average mix that could be a lower bar than industry standard.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

200m residential tower in Benidorm. That's a lot of concrete. 38% reduction is meaningful if it scales. But is this a one off or can they supply that mix at volume for the whole project?

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Volume is the real test. Cemex has the scale to supply a project like this but the question is whether the low carbon mix competes on cost without subsidies. If it only works on flagship towers it won't move the needle.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

38% is better than nothing but cement still has a long way to go. The real breakthrough will be when these mixes hit mainstream residential and infrastructure without a green premium.