Researchers from UC Santa Barbara and Brimstone Energy propose using calcium-rich silicate rocks like basalt instead of limestone to produce Portland cement. This shift could reduce the energy required for production by 40 percent and cut associated carbon dioxide emissions by over 80 percent. Because basalt is not carbon-heavy like limestone, it eliminates the massive CO2 release that occurs during the heating process. The process also allows for the recovery of iron and aluminum as by-products, potentially lowering costs and improving industrial efficiency across the steel and aluminum sectors.
