The Clinker Factor

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Georg Locher, Technical Director at Schwenk Zement, about the role of oxyfuel technology in decarbonising the cement industry. Georg shares his journey in the sector and how he became closely associated with oxyfuel, offering a clear explanation of the technology and its significance for carbon capture. He outlines the two main approaches within oxyfuel—calciner-only and full-process integration—and reflects on how the technology has evolved, including the role of flue gas recirculation in improving efficiency. Georg also compares oxyfuel with other carbon capture and storage (CCS) approaches, highlighting the trade-offs in cost, complexity, and performance. Looking ahead, Georg shares his perspective on future trends and where he believes the industry should place its bets as it accelerates towards net zero.

What is The Clinker Factor?

Cement production is responsible for approximately 7% of global greenhouse gas emissions and is possibly the hardest to abate sector.

In this podcast series, the World Cement Association’s CEO, Ian Riley, talks to industry leaders, experts and technological innovators from across the globe, bringing insights and fresh perspectives on how the cement sector can decarbonise and improve sustainability.

Suitable for anyone interested in climate change mitigation and industrial sustainability.