Novacem has developed a new engineering concept – sustainable cement made with non-carbonate magnesium oxides that actually absorbs carbon dioxide. The new cement, instead of being based on the traditional carbon-emitting limestone, is made with non-carbonate magnesium oxides which are extracted from the world’s huge stores of magnesium silicate. The treatment procedures used by Novacem actually absorb carbon dioxide, with the result that each tonne produced reduces CO2 levels by 50 kilograms. Traditional Portland cement emits 800 kilograms of CO2 per tonne. The product is currently being manufactured in a small scale.. It is now in the process of setting up its first industrial pilot plant with the view to producing 25,000 tonne a year by 2016. Lafarge, the world’s leader in building materials, and Laing O’Rourke, UK’s largest private construction company are investors. Novacem recently won the Material of the Year Award from Material ConneXion.