LC3 or limestone calcined clay cement is a family of composite cements containing 50 per cent Portland clinker, 30 per cent calcined clay, 15 per cent limestone and 5 per cent gypsum.
Salient features of LC3
- It has been found to be economical and more sustainable, with higher restivity than other cements.
- In environmental terms its production emits 40 per cent less carbon dioxide compared to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and 11 per cent less compared to Pozzolana Portland cement (PPC).
- For its production, kaolinitic clay or waste clay is used, which is a throwaway material in the ceramic and tile making industry.
- LC3 can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40%, is made using limestone and low-grade clays which are available in abundant quantities, is cost effective and does not require capital intensive modifications to existing cement plants.
- The best thing about LC3 is that it uses clay at lower investment and production costs.
- It also uses raw materials and technologies that are already available at cement factories.
- The production process, too, is similar to that of OPC and PPC.
- While LC3 has become a cement of choice in over a dozen countries in Africa, South America and West Asia, in India the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) clearance is awaited.
- According to some experts, India has stringent standards, rules and tests, so it takes time.
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