Phlego cement: Sustainable innovation, seamless integration
Industry cohort
Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is a major source of CO₂ emissions, contributing 8% globally due to fossil fuel use and limestone calcination. This project introduces Phlego, a low-carbon, off-white cement that reduces emissions by up to 76% and cuts production costs by up to 20%. Made from a blend of carbonate-free igneous rocks, Phlego eliminates the CO₂-intensive calcination process and fits seamlessly into existing infrastructure. Its patented formulation and controlled in situ fiber entanglement growth enhance strength and ductility, while its natural whiteness adds value to architectural and decorative applications featuring geomorphic textures like artificial marble and travertine. Phlego offers a cost-effective, seamlessly integrable solution for decarbonizing the cement industry.
When Tiziana Vanorio began researching how to decarbonize cement, she saw it as a chemistry challenge. Now, she’s focused on reducing the financial risk associated with making cement production more sustainable.
Centuries ago, Pliny the Elder marveled at the transformation of volcanic ash. Today, researchers are reinventing cement by harnessing volcanic chemistry to create more sustainable building materials.