Drywall constructions are excellently suited for the purpose of structural fire protection. Structures ranging from non-load-bearing internal partition walls to suspended ceilings and shaft walls have been certified for their fire resistance capability, either by inclusion in DIN 4102-4 or through manufacturer-specific certificates such as abP, abG or ETA.
The European Environment Agency (EEA, a body of the EU) points out in its latest report, that “deployment [of carbon reduction measures] remains slow and geographically uneven”. It commences that “incremental efficiency improvements will not suffice” and that deep transformation of core industries is now unavoidable. The report closes with the essence: “any further postponement of implementation will make transitions more expensive and socially disruptive.”
The European paper sack and sack kraft paper industry has embarked on a journey to develop a pathway towards net zero. The current focus is on identifying the main contributors to the industry’s carbon footprint and key areas for decarbonisation.
This article presents an optimal rotary kiln for calcined clay that decouples drying and calcination. This two-stage approach reduces heat consumption, lowers footprint, minimizes off-gas treatment and enhances operational control compared to traditional single kilns, making rotary kilns an even more competitive alternative to flash calciners.
Dear readers, internationally, the cement, lime and gypsum industries are putting their efforts in decarbonization measures and are paving the path to CO2 neutrality until 2035, 2040 or 2050. But – if this goal is to be achieved at all – which measures must be taken into account and which levers need to be set in motion?
This article explores how retrofitting existing ball mills with tailored solutions enables efficient use of high-moisture SCMs. Drawing on a recent industrial case, it demonstrates how engineering adaptations optimize performance, and help cement producers meet sustainability and climate goals.
It is well known that the building materials industry is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases worldwide. While cement manufacturers can primarily reduce their process-related emissions, sand-lime brick producers can already achieve savings in raw material processing. Advanced mixing technology makes this possible.
Calectra’s power-to-heat thermal storage technology can significantly reduce process heating OPEX (33% in Germany in 2024) and combustion-related emissions (up to 100% depending on power source) for cement and lime manufacturers. It is leveraging the growing trend of low-cost, off-peak electricity availability resulting from the surge of renewables.
As a partner in the “WAGEOS2SHS” (Wassergranulation von Elektroofenschlacke zu Schwarzem Hüttensand; water granulation of electric furnace slag to black granulated blast furnace slag) research project, Holcim is testing another promising approach to decarbonizing the construction industry and cross-sector circular economy.
In many industrial sectors, every effort is currently being made to pave the way for CO 2 neutrality by 2035. In an interview with ZKG, Till H. Iseke, Managing Director of Kalkwerke H. Oetelshofen GmbH & Co. KG, and Martin Pietrowski, Managing Director of Black Capture, take stock of how the pilot plant for CO 2 capture has affected processes at the lime plant after six months and venture a look ahead at further joint goals and the future of the lime industry.
Cement production has always been a complex balancing act of meeting process targets, but the level of variability in today’s plants is unprecedented. Alternative fuels vary in calorific value and moisture content from one delivery to the next. Supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) shift raw mix chemistry in ways that are difficult to predict. All of this must still be managed while keeping clinker quality consistent and equipment running smoothly. The real Green Challenge isn’t simply reducing emissions - it’s mastering the growing operational complexity without losing efficiency or profitability.
The lime industry is under pressure to decarbonize like hardly any other sector. Fossil fuels drive emissions and costs upwards – and call for bold alternatives. At Albert Knoblinger GmbH & Co. KG we have taken on this challenge and, together with Köhler Kalk in Germany, implemented a pioneering plant that is making history: For the first time in Germany, lime is being produced using 100% biogenic fuel.
Maximum landfill diversion should not be seen as a challenge in waste management but rather as a chance for a more sustainable clinker production. Only the biogenic organic components in RDF do not contribute to global warming. With the Eggersmann FUEL process not only the recyclables in MSW are converted to RDF but also the organic fraction will be an important part of high-quality alternative fuel.
The processing of copper scrap involves many precisely coordinated processes. This is the only way to ensure that the recycled copper can be used effectively later on. When it comes to level instrumentation, Montanwerke Brixlegg relies on radar technology from Vega.
The oleochemical industry is rooted in renewable raw materials such as natural oils and fats, making it one of the oldest contributors to the European bioeconomy. By offering products that are both high-performing and bio-based, oleochemicals support the global transition to a sustainable and circular economy. In line with this, we are committed to developing environmentally friendly, long-lasting solutions tailored to the needs of multiple industries – including the construction sector.
When it comes to the sustainable digital transformation of the cement industry, a well-coordinated mix of electrification, hardware, and software solutions for both core production and secondary processes plays a crucial role. At the heart of this portfolio lies CEMAT.
From 23 – 25 July 2025, the 6th International Conference on Polycarboxylate Superplasticizers (PCE 2025) was held at Century Park Hotel in Bangkok/Thailand. The conference provided valuable insights into the basics of PCE molecular design, high-performance applications and the key role of PCEs in the ongoing “green” transition of the cement industry to low-carbon binders, especially those formulated with diverse supplementary cementitous materials (SCMs).
The feeding of alternative fuels (AFs) is a challenging task, due to its inherent volatile material properties. Especially the vertical transport of AF particles in classical bucket elevators can lead to enormous throughput variations and associated conveying problems. This article presents an automatic optimization methodology for bucket elevators based on artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning.
With its “Circular Packaging” concept, Austrian-based Starlinger & Co GmbH provides a circular and ecologically conscious system for flexible plastic packaging such as FIBCs and sacks made of woven polypropylene tapes.
The illusion that net-zero can be achieved in the cement industry by implementing CCUS systems (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) is about to burst. Here, the projections put forward by the cement industry are discussed in detail and compared with reality. Accordingly, this market review is a wake-up call which also shows that roadmaps for 2050 should be re-written.
With the project for utilizing waste heat from the clinker cooler exhaust at the Allmendingen site, SCHWENK demonstrates how innovative energy optimization can enable triple use of waste heat.
Together with a direct reduction plant, thyssenkrupp Steel Europe builds two smelters at its Duisburg/Germany site. Tests in pilot-scale demonstrate that water quenched smelter slag is glassy and has a significant own latent hydraulic reactivity. Therefore, it is a promising new supplementary cementitious material.
The cement industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Driven by the need to decarbonize, the depletion of traditional supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash and slag, and the demand for regionally adapted raw materials, the sector is being pushed to rethink its technological foundations. In this context, SCMs are increasingly recognized as key to reducing CO₂ emissions and conserving resources.
A quantitative assessment of the environmental impact of the building materials industry in Germany and the current regulatory framework make it urgent to reduce resource consumption and climate impact. Innovative and practical product developments show that gypsum can be a climate-friendly alternative to CO2-intensive building materials.
Each ton of CO 2 which can be prevented reduces cost and impact on the environment. Overall, installation of energy- and emission-saving refractories additionally results in cost savings, which must not be bypassed to meet the carbon challenge.
