Buzzi Unicem USA and Lehigh University have been awarded a $2 million grant from the US Department of Energy Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) to develop a project regarding low-carbon non-ordinary Portland cements that can decarbonize industries by advancing low-temperature calcined clays. This project, started in 2023, consists in the adoption of calcined clays as an alternative concrete binder, achieving durability with clay beneficiation. Calcined clays offer a promising low CO2 supplementary cementitious material with a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional cement. The initial project started in early 2023.

The grant fits in with the recently announced $171 million in funding for 49 projects, promoted by IEDO, to reduce industrial greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the development of innovative decarbonization technologies.