Cement and Concrete Research

The paper discusses the potential of fillers in CO 2 mitigation in the cement industry. A historical overview of the use of fillers is presented as well as the limits of filler use given in cement standards. Globally, limestone filler currently represents only 7% of average worldwide cement composition . The limits of the current route to adding filler in cement by means of intergrinding are discussed. An innovative technology, that compensates binder dilution by a reduction of the water required for good rheological behavior , is presented; this allows clinker replacement rates of up to 70%. The theory that enables the design of such multimodal particle size distributions with high particle packing and low-water demand is presented, and examples of its application in concrete production are given. The efficiency in terms of CO 2 mitigation is demonstrated by comparing concrete formulations designed with this innovative approach with a global benchmark of current technology. New filler minerals , as well as the effects of high-filler content on production processes and on durability are also discussed.

Fillers in cementitious materials — Experience, recent advances and future potential