Ssangyong C&E exports low-carbon limestone cement to the US... "First in Korea"

30,000 Tons of Low-Carbon Limestone Cement with Reduced Clinker Content
Approximately 6% Less Carbon Emissions Compared to Existing Products

Ssangyong C&E has become the first in Korea to export low-carbon limestone cement to the United States.

On the 10th, Ssangyong C&E employees took a photo to commemorate the export of low-carbon limestone cement (Type IL) to the United States.
[Photo by Ssangyong C&E]

On the 12th, Ssangyong C&E announced that on the 10th, it exported 30,000 tons of low-carbon limestone cement (Type IL), which has a lower clinker content compared to ordinary cement (Type 1 Portland cement), to the United States.

Clinker is a semi-finished cement product made through an ultra-high temperature calcination process reaching up to 2000 degrees Celsius. This process generates a large amount of carbon emissions. Considering this, Ssangyong C&E is expanding the use of blended cement by reducing clinker content and increasing the replacement rate of supplementary materials. The company is also focusing on reducing carbon emissions by switching fossil fuel, such as bituminous coal, to alternative fuels.

The product Ssangyong C&E exported to the U.S. this time reduces clinker content compared to ordinary cement, while increasing the limestone fine powder additive by about 10%, resulting in approximately 6% less carbon emissions than existing products. Compared to ordinary cement, it maintains the same physical performance such as setting time, initial and long-term compressive strength, and sulfate resistance, enhancing user convenience. Recognized for its eco-friendliness, it passed the quality inspection by the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and obtained usage approval in three U.S. states: Washington, Idaho, and Oregon.

Recently, the use of eco-friendly cement with reduced clinker content has been rapidly increasing in the United States. The usage of eco-friendly cement in the U.S. was about 25% of total consumption in 2022, but it reached approximately 53% in the first quarter of this year. Accordingly, Ssangyong C&E plans to increase its limestone cement exports to the U.S. market to 200,000 tons this year. Especially since Ssangyong C&E’s limestone cement accounts for 97% of the U.S. eco-friendly cement market, it plans to export more than 600,000 tons next year.

A Ssangyong C&E official stated, “Korea has three national standards (KS) related to blended cement: slag (KS L 5210), fly ash (KS L 5211), and pozzolan (KS L 5401). However, to reduce carbon emissions in the future, conditions should be established to allow the use of various types of eco-friendly cement, including limestone cement, as in the United States.”

Meanwhile, in response to changes in the market environment and the need for carbon neutrality, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy has been supporting research and development (R&D) for ‘blended cement manufacturing technology development’ through the ‘Carbon Neutral Industrial Core Technology Development Project’ from last year until 2030. This project is led by Ssangyong C&E as the overall managing institution, along with a consortium of major cement-related organizations including Hanil Cement, Asia Cement, Halla Cement, the Cement Association, the Ceramic Technology Institute, the Concrete Institute, and universities, promoting the development and commercialization of low-carbon eco-friendly blended cement.