Concrete is strong and durable – which is why it’s the basis for so much of our infrastructure. It’s also terrible for the planet, due to one key ingredient: cement, which is responsible for almost 90% of concrete emissions. Researchers have now found a way to recover old cement while also reducing the environmental impact of recycling steel. Madeleine Finlay speaks to Julian Allwood, professor of engineering and the environment at the University Of Cambridge, to find out how the process works, and what it could mean for the emissions generated by the construction industry
Find more on concrete here in a special series from the Guardian
More Stories
Revealed: Chinese researchers can access half a million UK GP records
US food delivery app DoorDash offers to buy UK rival Deliveroo for $3.6bn
My life’s a mess. Will turning it into a game make everything better?