Switzerland, India and Cuba developing new cement to reduce CO2
Article, 12.09.2016
Switzerland, India and Cuba are developing and testing a type of cement that causes less CO2 emissions in production than conventional cement. The SDC is supporting this trilateral cooperation. The project is attracting attention in connection with the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation on 12 September 2016.
Cement production is responsible for roughly 5-8% of the global CO2 emissions attributable to human activity. The potential for protecting the environment and limiting climate change in this area is thus huge. Switzerland, Cuba and India aim to do just that with their Low Carbon Cement (LCC) project, which was launched at the start of 2013 and is producing and testing a type of cement called LC3 that reduces CO2 emissions. The SDC is supporting this trilateral cooperation. The goal is to establish a standard for environmentally friendly cement and raise awareness of it.
Close cooperation with the private sector
The project lead is with the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), but the three countries are equal partners in research and testing and share research findings, data, knowledge and technologies. Mirjam Macchi Howell, Programme Manager of the SDC’s Global Programme Climate Change, explains: “We are working closely together with the private sector. This is crucial to ensuring that LC3 gains acceptance in the cement industry.” Business representatives also attend steering committee meetings.
Switzerland is contributing financial support and expertise to both Cuba and India and thereby promoting the South-South cooperation between the two countries.
Following a trial phase, the aim is to raise awareness of the cement and establish it in the international marketplace.
Interview with a professor of construction materials
Karen Scrivener lectures at EPFL and is in charge of the LCC project.
