Limestone calcined clay cement LC3

Limestone calcined clay cement - also referred to as LC3 - is a form of cement that is being developed through a manufacturing process that is reduces CO2 emissions.

The production of LC3 requires limestone (15%) and low grade calcined clays (30%) to form a type of supplementary cementitious material or SCM. LC3 also requires gypsum (5%) and clinker (50%). While there is still clinker in LC3, the amount is significantly less than in Portland cement (up to 95%).

Clinker is not considered environmentally friendly, since it is produced at high temperatures. Producing SCM for LC3 requires less energy and so contributes to the CO2 reduction properties of LC3.

The development of LC3 began in 2004 with the exploration of calcined clays as a sustainable SCM replacement for clinker. Additional research has taken place with the support of various funding agencies to develop technical viability.

In 2020, additional funding was granted by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). With this support, experimental production of LC3 has begun in different parts of the world. Plans are underway to expand the scale of the project globally.

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• Clinker in construction.
• Concrete.
• Limestone for building.
• Portland cement.
• Urban mining to reinvent concrete.

[edit] External resources

• Cement and Concrete Research, Calcined clay limestone cements (LC3).