Potential of Portland cement­based concrete and building products as a carbon sink

Portland cement, being the unavoidable ingredient of structural concrete, has made the entire concrete production and use a cause of concern for carbon dioxide emissions and global warming. Traditionally, however, one well-known factor, carbonation or reabsorption of CO₂ from the atmosphere in the built concrete structures and products, has so far not been taken into account in preparing the CO₂ inventory. This paper intends to highlight the significance of quantifying the uptake of CO₂ in concrete structures, the approaches for its computation, and the potential of concrete as a carbon sink. The paper also deals with the possibility of enhancing the sequestration of CO₂ in different cement-based products via recycling of captured CO₂ from the industrial streams.