Heidelberg Materials Benelux started the batch production of calcined clay at its Ghent cement plant (photo) in Belgium. The calcined clay is for the production of Q-CEM, which shall pace the way for the production of low-carbon cements. Q-CEM delivers performance equivalent to Portland CEM I cement while reducing CO2 emissions to about 25% compared to traditional clinker-based cements. When the technology is fully developed, up to 1 Mta of this product can be supplied to the Benelux construction market. Heidelberg Materials Benelux has already made significant progress in reducing CO2 emissions from cement production through traditional measures and is recognized as a leader in this field.