The role of construction materials by accelerated carbonation in mitigation of CO2 considering the current climate status: a proposal for a new cement production model

Abstract

This work presents the evolution of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to the atmosphere with data from 2009 to 2019, considering three sources and respective emission sectors. In the first section, a reflection on CO2 emissions today is developed to compare the amount that has been removed from the atmosphere with present technologies and systems. Secondly, the current study consists, in part, of a scrutiny of the areas and subareas of capture, utilisation and storage of CO2 that are considered nowadays. A revision on the current development of a direct air capture technology regarding commercial implementation, economic viability, and importance in mitigating global warming is also presented here. The importance of the construction sector (building and infrastructure) as a path to achieve climate neutrality, considering the new materials based on accelerated carbonation, is highlighted. Construction materials based on accelerated carbonation have the potential to use and store several quantities of CO2. This work brings forward a new model of construction material production based on innovative technologies developed to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, also considering its economic viability. In general, it is presented the latest research developments in building material area that allow mitigating global warming. The form of reflection concluded on the current technological development in this area and the major future challenges that still need to be achieved.