Decarbonisation Pathways for the Australian Cement and Concrete Sector

Australia’s cement and concrete industry has long focused on reducing its environmental impact and, since 2000, Australian manufacturers and suppliers have steadily reduced CO₂ emissions by 25%.

Yet, the challenge of decarbonising and meeting Australia’s net zero goals by 2050 requires further efforts and significant regulatory, technological, structural and behavioural changes across the entire cement and concrete value chain.

In partnership with the Cement Industry Federation (CIF) and Cement Concrete & Aggregates Australia (CCAA), SmartCrete CRC commissioned VDZ to assess Australian cement and concrete value chain and identify possible pathways for the industry to lower its CO₂ emissions.

VDZ’s report, titled ‘Decarbonisation Pathways for the Australian Cement and Concrete Sector’, outlines the technologies and practices necessary to decarbonise Australian cement and concrete, and identifies eight decarbonisation pathways and key future research requirements:

• Zero emission electricity and transport;
• Innovation through design and construction;
• Further innovation in concrete;
• Increased use of supplementary cementitious materials in concrete;
• New CO₂ efficient cements;
• Alternative fuels and green hydrogen;
• Accounting for concrete to uptake CO₂ (recarbonation); and
• Capture remaining CO₂(CCUS).

The Australian cement and concrete sector is now developing engagement plans based on the identified pathways to implement the key recommendations of the report and are committed to reviewing progress on a regular basis.

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