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Construction is the backbone of our cities, roads, and infrastructure. It is notorious for its carbon footprint. From concrete and steel to diesel-powered machinery, the sector is a major emitter. In fact, just producing cement and steel accounts for a massive chunk of global emissions. And with Asia-Pacific in the middle of an infrastructure boom—new highways, railways, ports, and mega-urban projects—there’s a pressing challenge: How do we reduce emissions from construction without stalling progress?
The good news? Solutions are emerging. This section breaks down the hurdles in greening key materials, explores cutting-edge tech like carbon capture in cement, and highlights how AI and automation can cut waste and optimize processes. From low-carbon concrete mixes to 3D printing that slashes material waste, we’ll take a look at the innovations that could turn construction from a carbon-heavy industry into a sustainability leader in APAC’s net-zero push.
If we’re talking about emissions in construction, two materials steal the spotlight: steel and cement. They’re everywhere—used in buildings, bridges, roads, and railways—but they’re also incredibly carbon-intensive to produce.
Steel is a staple in beams, rebar, and rails, and traditionally, it’s made using blast furnaces that rely on coal. Cement, the glue that holds concrete together, is produced by heating limestone to high temperatures, releasing CO₂ both from the fuel used and the chemical reaction itself. Combined, these two materials contribute about 14–15% of global CO₂ emissions. That’s huge.
The impact is even bigger in APAC, where over half of the world’s steel and cement are produced. China alone accounts for around 60% of global cement production and roughly half of global steel output. That means infrastructure projects in this region have a high "embodied carbon" footprint—just making the materials for a single kilometer of high-speed rail or a massive concrete dam can release tens of thousands of tons of CO₂.
On top of that, construction sites themselves add to emissions. Diesel-powered excavators, trucks hauling materials, and generators running tools all contribute to the sector’s carbon load—not to mention the waste. Unused concrete, steel scraps, and excess timber often end up in landfills, representing lost energy and materials.
So, why hasn’t the industry moved faster on low-carbon solutions? The reality is that traditional materials like cement and steel are cheap, reliable, and well-understood. Low-carbon alternatives either cost more, don’t yet meet performance standards, or face resistance from a risk-averse industry. Plus, construction supply chains are complex and price-driven—contractors aren’t going to prioritize sustainability unless clients demand it or regulations force them to.
And then there’s the bigger picture. Many APAC economies rely heavily on construction and heavy industry for jobs and growth. Rapid change could disrupt entire sectors. But despite these challenges, innovation and policy are slowly paving the way for a cleaner construction industry.
Cement’s emissions come from two main sources:
Here’s how the industry is tackling it:
Blended Cements
By mixing traditional clinker with supplementary materials like fly ash (from coal plants), slag (from steel mills), or volcanic ash, we can cut emissions significantly. Some cement mixes in Asia already have 20–50% less clinker. If China increased its use of blended cement, it could reduce hundreds of millions of tons of CO₂ emissions by 2050. India is already ahead of the game, with many cements incorporating high fly ash content marketed as low-carbon options.
Alternative Binders
Geopolymer cements skip the limestone altogether, using industrial byproducts activated by alkali solutions instead. These can slash CO₂ emissions by up to 80%. Pilot projects in Australia and Malaysia have used geopolymer concrete in airport runways and pavements. The challenge? Consistent supply and industry adoption, but momentum is growing.
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
Some cement plants are testing ways to capture and store their emissions. Taiheiyo Cement in Japan has trialed CCS on a kiln, while Dalmia Cement in India is planning a facility to make one of its plants carbon-negative. The big hurdle is cost—but if carbon pricing tightens, CCS could become viable by the 2030s.
Steelmaking is also getting a green makeover:
Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) and Scrap Recycling
Recycling scrap steel in electric arc furnaces (EAF) cuts emissions dramatically, especially if powered by clean electricity. While the U.S. produces about 70% of its steel from scrap, China and India still rely on coal-based blast furnaces—but both are starting to increase EAF adoption as scrap availability grows.
Hydrogen Steelmaking
The game-changer? Using hydrogen instead of coal to refine iron ore. Europe is leading with projects like HYBRIT in Sweden, but APAC is catching up. China, Japan, and Australia are investing in hydrogen-based steelmaking, with pilot plants already in development. If scaled, this could eliminate CO₂ emissions from steelmaking altogether.
CCS for Blast Furnaces
For existing steel plants, carbon capture could serve as a bridge solution. Japan’s COURSE50 project is testing ways to lower blast furnace CO₂ emissions by 30%, capturing and storing some of it.
Decarbonizing construction in APAC won’t happen overnight, but the tools and technologies are already here. Whether it’s blending cement, recycling steel, using AI to reduce waste, or adopting new materials like engineered timber, the industry is moving in the right direction. The challenge now is scaling these solutions while keeping up with the region’s rapid development. If done right, construction can transform from a major polluter into a model for sustainability.