Reduction in CO2 emissions during production of cement, with partial replacement of traditional raw materials by civil construction waste (CCW)

The cement industry is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, generated in the clinkering phase of cement production, which contribute to global warming. The present work proposes the reuse of civil construction waste (CCW) as an alternative raw material in the production of Portland clinker, with partial replacement of limestone–clay mixtures. The raw materials were characterized chemically and by thermogravimetric tests (TG/DTG), with subsequent evaluation of the resulting dosed raw mixes. The results showed that the partial substitution of limestone–clay mixture provides a reduction of up to 8.1% in CO2 emissions from raw materials in clinker production, because CCW acts as an alternative source of calcium in the formulation of the raw mix, partially replacing limestone, without negatively affecting the formation of the main mineralogical phases of cement, especially alite (C3S). •Production of Portland clinker using civil construction waste (CCW) is proposed.•Raw materials and CCW were characterized and the raw mixes were dosed using chemical modules.•CO2 emission during clinker production and phases formed were evaluated by TG/DTG and XRD.•Mechanical strength of cements containing CCW was evaluated.•The results showed that cement using CCW presented technically and environmentally satisfactory.