Novacem uses Autodesk design software to produce zero-carbon cement

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SAN RAFAEL, CALIF. — Autodesk Inc. has announced that Novacem, the carbon-negative cement company based in London, is using its AutoCAD Plant 3D software to optimize its plant design and production process, enabling it to develop a new magnesium silicate-based cement that will offer carbon-negative production.

Enabling start-ups like Novacem to better design products and processes, the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program provides powerful software for emerging clean tech companies in North America, Europe and Japan, all working to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, Autodesk said. The Clean Tech Partner Program offers Digital Prototyping software licenses to clean technology companies, helping them innovate more rapidly.

“Being able to develop the process using state of the art layout design tools allows Novacem to effectively and efficiently scale up the technology,” said Howard Simons, Novacem vice president of engineering. “This approach enabled us to explore different concepts by giving our design team more freedom to be creative, while pioneering new and innovative production techniques. This helps Novacem optimize the process design of its plant technology, as well as provide vital information associated with costing and visualizing the technology for investors.We value the opportunity to be part of the Autodesk Clean Tech Partner Program.”

Novacem developed a new generation of carbon-negative cement that will offer cost and performance parity with the most common type of cement, Portland cement. The cement is based on magnesium oxide produced from magnesium silicates and is a scalable, transformational alternative to current carbon-intensive cement production. Current technology creates an average of 800 kilograms of carbon dioxide per metric ton of cement. Novacem can go beyond eliminating all of these emissions and can achieve up to 50 kilograms net absorption of carbon dioxide per metric ton of cement.

To help increase production and improve efficiency in its pilot plant, Novacem is using AutoCAD Plant 3D software to digitally design and visualize the performance of the plant’s planned automated control systems under simulated real-world conditions, all before the systems are physically built and installed. AutoCAD Plant 3D brings modern 3D design to plant designers and engineers to help streamline the placement of piping, equipment and support structures, reduce complexity and enable them to evaluate designs quickly and easily.

“Novacem’s product and manufacturing process has positive environmental implications for materials used in construction around the world,” said Mark Strassman, vice president, construction and plant for Autodesk’s Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Solutions. “Autodesk is pleased to support companies like Novacem, a prime example of how software can help solve design and engineering challenges that address environmental problems, while decreasing time to market.”

For more information, please visit www.autodesk.com.