Engineered UK clays for production of low-carbon cements
Lead Research Organisation:
British Geological Survey
Department Name: Minerals & Waste
Abstract
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Organisations
- British Geological Survey (Lead Research Organisation)
- University of East London (Collaboration)
- Saint-Gobain S.A. (Collaboration)
- Wienerberger (Collaboration)
- Tarmac Ltd (Collaboration)
- University of Suffolk (Collaboration)
- Hanson Cement (Collaboration)
- Brunel University London (Collaboration)
- Ibstock Brick Limited (Collaboration)
| Description | The geological clay resources of the UK have been assessed for their potential as raw material for the replacement of cement. Cement is one of the largest sources of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere in the UK. A reduction in the amount of cement used in concrete will go a long way to meeting the Net Zero targets of the UK. There is the potential for replacement of up to 50% of the cement used in concrete. The work of the British Geological Survey (BGS) focused on identifying suitable clay resources from mineral operations and infrastructure projects. Clay samples were characterised to determine their mineralogical and physical properties. These clay samples were then submitted to other project partners to assess their potential for use in cement. This research is ongoing until mid 2026. |
| Exploitation Route | Mineral operating companies would be able to use the findings of the research to identify clay resources on their estates that could be extracted for use in cement. The clay resources are often waste material. Finding a use for the clay would improve the resource efficiency of the mineral operation. There is also an opportunity for new companies to be set up to produce calcined clay that would then be used to partially replace cement. The amount of clay required is estimated to be in the regjon of several million tonnes per year. This represents a significant mineral resource development that would require decades of development to be realised. |
| Sectors | Construction |
| URL | https://www.concretecentre.com/getmedia/e2207d31-8e66-42c0-9c25-962fe16f70d4/CQ287-Summer-2024-Digital-Edition-V2.aspx |
| Description | The findings of the research have been communicated to project stakeholders via consortium meetings held every six months. The most recent was the 5th consortium meeting in February 2025. The industrial partners have been kept up todate regards the ongoing research. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2021 |
| Sector | Construction |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | International PhD studentship - Low-carbon and reusable structural systems formed with eco-friendly materials for sustainable infrastructures |
| Amount | £105,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Kuwait |
| Start | 01/2023 |
| End | 07/2026 |
| Description | International PhD studentship - Understanding the hydration of Portland cements blended with calcined clay |
| Amount | £110,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | University of Leeds |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2023 |
| End | 10/2026 |
| Title | Database of UK clays |
| Description | Database of UK clay stockpiles, their location, accessibility, properties and potential for processing to form low-carbon cements. Compilation of the database is an ongoing activity and the results will be used to inform subsequent sampling and detailed characterisation work. |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | When completed, the database will be openly disseminated to guide future industrial exploitation. |
| Description | Cements from low-grade clays |
| Organisation | University of East London |
| Department | Sustainability Research Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of data and analyses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples and data. |
| Impact | One journal publication is in progress. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Cements from low-grade clays |
| Organisation | University of Suffolk |
| Department | Suffolk Sustainability Institute |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of data and analyses |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples and data. |
| Impact | One journal publication is in progress. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | UK mineral industry operating companies |
| Organisation | Hanson Cement |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Characterisation of the mineralogical composition of clay samples. Data will be provided to the operating companies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to quarries and mines. Assistance in collection of samples.. |
| Impact | No outputs as yet. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | UK mineral industry operating companies |
| Organisation | Ibstock Brick Limited |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Characterisation of the mineralogical composition of clay samples. Data will be provided to the operating companies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to quarries and mines. Assistance in collection of samples.. |
| Impact | No outputs as yet. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | UK mineral industry operating companies |
| Organisation | Saint-Gobain S.A. |
| Country | France |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Characterisation of the mineralogical composition of clay samples. Data will be provided to the operating companies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to quarries and mines. Assistance in collection of samples.. |
| Impact | No outputs as yet. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | UK mineral industry operating companies |
| Organisation | Tarmac Ltd |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Characterisation of the mineralogical composition of clay samples. Data will be provided to the operating companies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to quarries and mines. Assistance in collection of samples.. |
| Impact | No outputs as yet. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | UK mineral industry operating companies |
| Organisation | Wienerberger |
| Country | Austria |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | Characterisation of the mineralogical composition of clay samples. Data will be provided to the operating companies. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Access to quarries and mines. Assistance in collection of samples.. |
| Impact | No outputs as yet. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Upcycling end-of-life bricks |
| Organisation | Brunel University London |
| Department | School of Engineering and Design |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Provision of data and analyses to investigate the potential of processing end-of-life waste clay bricks to form new cement and aggregate. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provision of samples and test data. |
| Impact | One journal publication is currently under preparation. |
| Start Year | 2022 |
| Description | Circular Chemistry; the enabler to help solve global challenges |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation on circular economy in cement and concrete sectors, highlighting research from within the ICEC-MCM, the development of calcined clays and other work from within the University of Leeds. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.rsc.org/events/detail/74666/circular-chemistry |
| Description | Invited Lecture at Technologies for Low Carbon and Lean Construction (TLC2) launch at IIT-Madras |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Delivered an invited lecture on circular economy and construction to ~150 Masters and PhD students, academics and industry partners at the launch of IIT-Madras' new TLC2 research centre. This 4-day event prompted significant discussion among the audience as to how best to achieve circular economy goals within different environments, i.e. comparing and contrasting work in the UK and India. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://civil.iitm.ac.in/tlc/ |