A study by ETH Zurich found replacing fossil fuels with clean electricity could cancel out 78 percent of a cement kiln’s carbon emissions. Repeatedly cycling limestone through the process allows it to absorb atmospheric carbon dioxide before being reused in cement production.

The researchers found commercial calcium looping systems with carbon storage could remove more carbon dioxide than they generate over their lifetime when powered by low-carbon electricity. They cautioned the findings rely on future electricity decarbonisation and technology that is not yet widely deployed. The study is intended to demonstrate the approach’s long-term climate potential rather than immediate commercial readiness.