Cement is the most widely used component in most types of construction. The type of cement used determines the strength and durability of the structure. Hence, knowing the cement variety used to construct your home is more important than the brand as there are different cement types and uses.

Different Types of Cement Used in India

Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is the most common type of cement used in India. It comes in three grades used for various purposes from plastering to constructing large structures like bridges, dams, and multi-storeyed buildings.

Portland Slag Cement offers high durability and is thus used for building bridges and multi-storeyed buildings.

Portland Pozzolano Cement has denser properties which make it more suitable for constructing retaining walls, dams, and marine structures.

Low Heat Portland Cement is used for constructing structures that must retain water such as piers, dams, retaining walls, and bridge abutments as it does not shrink or form cracks.

White Cement is commonly used for repairing roofs and floors. It also has ornamental uses such as making interior or exterior designer walls and ceilings.

Sulphate Resisting Cement is known for being resistant to sulphate deterioration and is thus used for the construction of structures that come in contact with seawater, groundwater, and soil.

Rapid Hardening Cement is useful for making quick repairs as it sets quickly and also quickens the pace of construction.

Future of Sustainable Cement

Due to its widespread use cement production is very high. However, chemical reactions during the cement production process contribute to 8% of global carbon emissions. However, moving to sustainable types of cement could save up to 2.75 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually. Thus, by simply changing the type of cement used we can reduce the carbon footprint of structures.

Ways to Reduce Cement’s Carbon Footprint

Use low-carbon cement types such as Portland Limestone Cement (PLC), Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) and Alkali-Activated Binders (AAC) which have alternative material inputs that require lower energy input and thus reduce emissions.
Innovative technologies can capture CO₂ emissions during the cement production process. The captured CO₂ is later used for producing synthetic fuels and construction materials.
Replacing traditional fossil fuels used in cement production with alternative fuels such as non-recyclable plastics and biomass lowers carbon emissions.
Achieving energy efficiency in the cement manufacturing process and optimising the use of raw materials can help reduce energy consumption and associated carbon emissions.

Frequently asked questions

1. How many types of cement are used in India?

Ans. There are almost 15 types of cement used in India for various types of construction. Depending on the cement’s properties it can be used for decorative purposes or even building huge structures like dams and bridges.

2. Is Green Cement a type of sustainable cement?

Ans. Green cement or concrete makes homes more environment-friendly. Slag or fly ash and low-carbon cement alternatives such as geopolymer or hempcrete are some examples of green cement.

Exploring Future Sustainable Cement Technologies

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