The Deep View: AI got Good: A new recipe for cement. Quote: Researchers at Switzerland’s Paul Scherrer Institute have developed an AI system that can design climate-friendly cement formulations in seconds while maintaining the same structural strength. CRH (Irish company) now quoted in US and a focus on the U.S. : what impact will this have for them.

Posted on June 23, 2025 by michelleclarke2015
AI for Good: A new recipe for cement?
Source: Midjourney v7
The cement industry produces around eight percent of global CO2 emissions — more than the entire aviation sector worldwide. Researchers at Switzerland’s Paul Scherrer Institute have developed an AI system that can design climate-friendly cement formulations in seconds while maintaining the same structural strength.
What happened: The research team created a machine learning model that simulates thousands of ingredient combinations to identify recipes that dramatically reduce CO2 emissions without compromising quality. The AI uses neural networks trained on thermodynamic data to predict how different mineral combinations will perform, then applies genetic algorithms to optimize for both strength and low emissions.
The details: Traditional cement production heats limestone to 1,400 degrees Celsius, releasing massive amounts of CO2 both from energy consumption and the limestone itself. While some facilities already use industrial byproducts like slag and fly ash to partially replace clinker, a crucial component in cement production, global cement demand far exceeds the availability of these materials.
The new AI approach works in reverse — instead of testing countless recipes and evaluating their properties, researchers input desired specifications for CO2 reduction and material quality, and the system identifies optimal formulations. The trained neural network can calculate mechanical properties around 1,000 times faster than traditional computational modeling.
Why it matters: With global construction demands continuing to rise, finding scalable alternatives to traditional cement is critical for climate goals. The research team identified several promising candidates that could significantly reduce emissions while remaining practically feasible for industrial production. The recipes still require laboratory testing before implementation, but the mathematical proof of concept demonstrates that AI may be able to accelerate the discovery of sustainable building materials across multiple environmental applications.
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About michelleclarke2015

Life event that changes all: Horse riding accident in Zimbabwe in 1993, a fractured skull et al including bipolar anxiety, chronic fatigue …. co-morbidities (Nietzche 'He who has the reason why can deal with any how' details my health history from 1993 to date). 17th 2017 August operation for breast cancer (no indications just an appointment came from BreastCheck through the Post). Trinity College Dublin Business Economics and Social Studies (but no degree) 1997-2003; UCD 1997/1998 night classes) essays, projects, writings. Trinity Horizon Programme 1997/98 (Centre for Women Studies Trinity College Dublin/St. Patrick's Foundation (Professor McKeon) EU Horizon funded: research study of 15 women (I was one of this group and it became the cornerstone of my journey to now 2017) over 9 mth period diagnosed with depression and their reintegration into society, with special emphasis on work, arts, further education; Notes from time at Trinity Horizon Project 1997/98; Articles written for Irishhealth.com 2003/2004; St Patricks Foundation monthly lecture notes for a specific period in time; Selection of Poetry including poems written by people I know; Quotations 1998-2017; other writings mainly with theme of social justice under the heading Citizen Journalism Ireland. Letters written to friends about life in Zimbabwe; Family history including Michael Comyn KC, my grandfather, my grandmother's family, the O'Donnellan ffrench Blake-Forsters; Moral wrong: An acrimonious divorce but the real injustice was the Catholic Church granting an annulment – you can read it and make your own judgment, I have mine. Topics I have written about include annual Brain Awareness week, Mashonaland Irish Associataion in Zimbabwe, Suicide (a life sentence to those left behind); Nostalgia: Tara Hill, Co. Meath.
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