2. background
Until end of 1970s large laboratories such as PCA, BCA and CERILH carried out basic work on cementitious materials
Work in universities was fragmented and carried out in small, isolated groups
Duplication, reinventing the wheel, no follow-through
PhD structure: studies limited to 3 years
Current developments largely empirical and incremental
Recognition that situation has to change
Mounting challenge to decrease environmental footprint

3. Organisation, Objectives and Operation
The three Os:
Organisation, Objectives and Operation

4. Organisation Creation of NANOCEM May 2002 May 2003 May 2004
First meeting,
6 partners
in Paris
Unsuccessful
bid for EU network of excellence
May 2003
Decision to
form independent
consortium
May 2004
Signature of
consortium
agreement
Continuing activity
indefinite duration

5. Organisation
Nanocem’s structure

6. Objectives
Our aims
RESEARCH To grow the basic knowledge needed to develop new cementitious materials, linking features and processes that take place at atomic level and their impact once used in buildings, bridges or other structures, and to disseminate the results of our work.
EDUCATION To prepare the next generation of researchers, by educating university graduates and providing a platform for future employment in the cement and concrete industry.
RESPONSIBILITY To help find solutions that will further reduce the environmental impact of cement and concrete.

7. OPEration
What we do

8. Objectives Network Resources ~120 permanent research staff involved
~65 doctoral students
Financing of core projects based on industry contribution (~ € p.a.)
+ Umbrella for European projects
: ~4 M€: Marie Curie RTN: 9 PhDs and 6 postdocs
: ~4 M€: Marie ITN 14 PhDs and 1 post doc

9. Industrial - academic dialog
operation
Industrial - academic dialog
Areas where lack of understanding or quantitative measurement blocks progress
Interpretation of knowledge and clarification
of possible progress areas

10. Partners, Projects, Profiling and Potential
The four Ps:
Partners, Projects, Profiling and Potential

11. Partners Key numbers 33 Academic and Industrial Partners
PhD and PostDoctoral Research Projects
Academic Researchers

12. Partners
Key numbers
Academic Partners
10 Industrial Partners

13. Partners Key numbers 33 Academic and Industrial Partners
PhD and PostDoctoral Research Projects
Academic Researchers

14. Need for co-ordinated interconnected approach
PARtners
Need for co-ordinated interconnected approach
10 Industrial Partners

15. Need for co-ordinated interconnected approach
PARtners
Need for co-ordinated interconnected approach
23 Academic Partners

16. Current achievements approach
PROJECTS
Current achievements approach
16 Core Projects Fundamental, long-term research projects carried out by two or more partners, funded by the resources of the Nanocem Consortium
96 Partner Projects Externally funded projects conducted by academic partners
37 doctoral theses (3 Doctoral Theses in preparation)
We have trained at least 51 students (phDs + postdocs over the last 14 years)
Average of 20 workshops per year

17. PROJECTS
2 types of project 16 96

18. PROJECTS Core projects
Core projects aim to bridge the gaps between the independent research of the different academic partners.
They typically fund 1-2 PhD students working across 2-4 partner institutions.
Core projects chosen after workshops process

19. Partner project – What is it?
PROJECTS
Partner project – What is it?
The contribution of the academic partners to the network
Partner projects are externally funded projects conducted by academic partners, who contribute by sharing the principal results with Nanocem members 

20. Industry ProFILING Why we use concrete?
STRONG AND DURABLE Concrete is used for its strength that actually increases over time, and is not weakened by moisture, mould or pests.
LOCAL AND AFFORDABLE concrete is less cost effective to produce and remains extremely affordable as all of its raw materials are sourced locally.
FIRE-RESISTANT As it is naturally fire-resistant, concrete forms a highly effective barrier to fire spread.

21. Industry ProFILING Why we use concrete?
EXCELLENT THERMAL MASS Concrete walls and floors slow the passage of heat, reducing temperature swings, making buildings more energy efficient.
SUSTAINABLE Concrete is a low carbon construction material compared to steel etc. Concrete is made from materials that are abundantly available and can contribute to the circular economy by integrating industrial by- products or waste as raw material. When the structure reaches the end of its useful life, concrete can be recycled.

22. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
The Construction Industry
Largest single economic sector in Europe
About 10% of total GDP in EU
More than 10% of total employment in EU
Construction activities increasing globally
High growth rates in emerging economies (China, India) to build up infrastructure
50% of all materials extracted are used for construction
► Enormous economical, ecological and societal impact

23. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
The Construction Industry
Concrete is:
A readily available raw material
Strong and durable ► it is not weakened by moisture, mould or pests
Local and affordable
Excellent thermal mass ► concrete walls and floors slow the passage of heat
Sustainable ► concrete is made form abundantly available materials and can be re-used or recycled

24. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
The Construction Industry
Concrete is a low carbon constructional material that can be produced anywhere in the world using local resources.
In 2011, global cement production totalled 3.4 billion tonnes
The first 2 top cement producers are European ■ LafargeHolcim, France (rank 1) ■ HeidelbergCement, Germany (rank 2) ■ Cemex, Mexico ■ UtraTech Cement, India ■ Votorantim, Brazil
Annual turnover > €65 billion (increasing)
Cement production is estimated to reach over 5 billion tonnes by 2050

25. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
The Construction Industry

26. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
The Construction Industry
Environmental, Economical and Societal Challenges:
Reduction of (natural) resource consumption
Increase use of alternative fuels and raw materials
Increase recycling rate
Local markets versus global competition
Competition from other materials (wood, steel)
Lack of well-trained employees (attractiveness)
Reduction of GHG emissions and emission trading
Cement production accounts for about 5% of CO2 emissions ► Objective: 20% reduction of CO2 emissions 1990–2010 (Holcim)

27. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Cement & Emissions
Cement production accounts for 3-8% of global CO2
With the development of emerging economies, cement use is set to double by 2050
Emissions from cement production come from:
■ energy use
■ chemical reaction during the production process
■ use of electricity in the production process

28. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Cement & Emissions

29. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Cement & Emissions

30. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Cement & Emissions
CaCO3 + heat = CaO + CO2
A simple formula that is responsible for the majority of the emissions in cement production.
The emissions per tonne of cement vary from plant to plant but are on average around 760 kg of CO2.

31. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Cement & Emissions
The Emission Paradox
Compared to other building materials concrete has a low carbon footprint, i.e. it emits less CO2 per tonne. And yet, the enormous volumes used mean that concrete production accounts for about percent of the man-made CO2 emissions worldwide.

32. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Cement & Emissions
Comparative relative energy and CO2 per construction material

33. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Reduction in CO2 Emissions (1990–2010)
SPECIFIC GROSS AND NET DIRECT CO2 EMISSIONS

34. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Reduction in CO2 Emissions (1990–2010)

35. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Emission Reduction Research
Our research focuses on cement at a nano-scale level: fundamental chemistry and physics. We research ways in which we can:
Reduce or substitute the proportion of limestone in the clinker,
Mix clinker with other materials. Less clinker means less decarbonated limestone, and thus reduced emissions.
Increase the use of waste materials or industrial by-products as a raw material
Change the composition of concrete by using less cement
Extend the life of structures by developing concretes that are more resistant to deterioration

36. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Positioning of Nanocem Research Activities

37. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research
The Nanocem network conducts precompetitive basic research. The research cooperation aims to enable breakthrough innovation in order to:
Improve the ecological and economical performance of cement and concrete;
Improve the applicability of cementitious systems;
Develop new multifunctional, knowledge-based cementitious products better serving customers needs.

38. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research

39. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research

40. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research
Reduction of concrete carbon impact:
Improved prediction of performance of new types of cement and concrete
Research into the performance of different mixtures and cement types
Increasing understanding of how concrete deteriorates + ensure durability of new materials
Exploring possibilities for new replacement materials

41. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research
Why is it hard? Obstacles:
Changing the chemical composition of cement affects its properties and performance
Fundamental research is required into cement and concrete that will emit less emissions but will continue to offer required level of performance
Time and the environment will play a critical role

42. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research
The resources of the earth mean we do not have a lot of options!

43. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research
The resources of the earth mean we do not have a lot of options!
Only 8 elements constitute >98% of the earth’s crust
Even elements we regard as common are more than 1000 times LESS abundant that the elements found in cement – cost and geographical distribution
The composition of the Earth’s Crust limits the possible chemistries
But the limited range mean we can explore all options

44. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research
But increasing substitution is reaching a limit due to:
technical performance
availability

45. Industry ProFILING from construction to cement and concrete
Nanocem Research
To master new solutions, we need approaches based on mechanisms

46. Conclusions and looking into the future
POTENTIAL
Conclusions and looking into the future
In the future sustainability can be increased by:
Extending the use of current clinker substitutes;
The development of novel, cost-effective supplementary cementitious materials and alternative clinkers;
Optimising the use of waste materials as substitutes for clinker and fuel; However such developments can only be successful if we can provide the basis in understanding and performance tests for users to have confidence in the many potential solutions
There is no magic bullet solution: sustainability can only come from mastering an increasingly diverse range of cementitious materials

47. POTENTIAL Need for Innovation
How can R&D help to tackle these challenges?
Development of blended cements with strength and durability equal to that of ordinary Portland cement (OPC)
Maximum utilization of alternative fuels and raw materials (AFR) without negative effect on performance
Development of low energy or alternative binders
Full recycling concepts
Long predictable service life of concrete