Qatar Ministry of Environment and Climate Change launches eco-friendly 'Green Cement' from solid sewage waste
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) of Qatar announced the introduction of 'Green Cement,' made from solid sewage waste, in line with environmental and sustainability standards and in support of the circular economy.
The announcement came at a seminar under the patronage and in the presence of HE the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki al-Subaie.
The production of 'Green Cement' involves processing sludge from solid sewage waste through burning, grinding, and mixing it with stimulating materials. It has been practically applied in the manufacturing of building blocks and foam concrete using recycled materials. This innovation contributes to reducing the carbon footprint and protecting air, soil, and groundwater quality from pollutants while minimising the environmental impact of sludge.
The idea for this innovation originated from the ministry's research team in collaboration with researchers from Qatar and Queen’s University Belfast. The project was submitted to the Qatar National Research Fund competition in its 12th cycle in 2021 and underwent scientific and technical evaluation by global reviewers and experts in the field, achieving the highest evaluation grade (A) for a period of three years.
According to the available data, the accumulated sewage waste amounts to approximately 40,000 tonnes annually, which can be used to produce 40mn blocks or 150,000 cubic meters of foam concrete annually, contributing to reduced production costs.
The innovation is part of MoECC's efforts to promote environmental sustainability and support the circular economy, which aims to reduce waste in materials, goods, and energy while maximising their sustainable use. It also implements the fourth pillar of Qatar's Environment and Climate Change Strategy and is in harmony with the third National Development Strategy (2024-2030), which focuses on conserving natural resources, protecting ecosystems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing resilience to future environmental threats.