SUSTENO
Resource-saving cement
Increasing greenhouse gas emissions and the scarcity of natural resources are forcing architects and civil engineers to rethink their approach to building materials. Holcim is expanding the offer of sustainable materials and solutions that help build sustainably for people and the planet. Susteno is the first and only resource-saving cement in Europe that uses fine mixed granulate from demolished buildings as an additive.
Building with circular economy principles
With Susteno, Holcim embraces a circular business model with leading operations in demolition waste upcycling. Susteno is the first and only resource-saving cement in Europe that uses fine mixed granulate from demolished buildings as an additive. Susteno is made of high-quality processed mixed granulate from demolition projects, resulting in a cement that fulfills all aspects required for a closed material cycle for the first time. Susteno reduces the amount of demolition waste in landfills and uses fewer natural resources thanks to its unique composition with mixed granulates from demolition projects.
Upcycling demolition waste to high-quality cement
The quality requirements of the recycled aggregates for the production of Susteno are very high, including strict acceptance criteria regarding the size and humility of the granulates, as well as chemical and mineral requirements and components that need to be excluded. The strict quality management includes testing of the cement and concrete beyond the standard, ensuring an efficient and high-quality ecological cement that can be used in all building construction applications.
Reducing CO2 in cement and buildings
Susteno reduces the clinker content of the cement and therefore its CO2 by 10% compared to an already CO2-optimized Swiss mass cement. Clinker is the most CO2 intensive component of cement with roughly two-thirds of CO2 emitted as a result of the chemical reaction in the manufacturing process. This means that the most meaningful way to reduce CO2 emissions of cement is by replacing clinker with mineral components. Since common substitute materials like fly ash and slag are not available in Switzerland, Holcim invented alternative local solutions, which also shortens logistics distances. In 2019, Susteno saved over 7,000 tons of CO2, the equivalent of 1,900 trips around the world by car.
Susteno is available in Switzerland.
