TREMS in the news!
The manufacture of cement – a key ingredient in concrete – is responsible for eight percent of global carbon emissions. By converting low-grade mixed-layer clay into a high-performance cement supplement, the TREMS research team identified an opportunity reduced the environmental impact of cement production.
Attracting significant media attention was the inclusion of a tool produced in partnership with our Japanese partner Hokkadio University. This predictive modelling program allowed the research team to accurately estimate how different clay compositions affect concrete behaviour, allowing for better energy efficient, and environment specific mixes.
The story on the cement alternative and tool, was picked up around the world with articles translated into multiple languages and distributed through syndicate networks after the original research work “A combination technique to improve natural low-grade illite as supplementary cementitious material for concrete” was published in Construction and Building Materials (DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2025.141334
On social media there were over 20,000 views recorded, including 14,000 views, 240 like sand 800 clicks on LinkedIn and positive feedback on Facebook as well.
Journal articles listed below:
- Jayathilakage, R., Gunasekara, C., Law, D. and Setunge, S., 2025. Activation and reactivity of mixed-layer natural clays for low-carbon concrete: a review. Journal of Sustainable Cement-Based Materials, pp.1-19.
- Jayathilakage, R., Gunasekara, C., Law, D. and Setunge, S., 2025. A combination technique to improve natural low-grade illite as supplementary cementitious material for concrete. Construction and Building Materials, 477, p.141334.
- Yu, Y., Gunasekara, C., Elakneswaran, Y., Robert, D., Law, D.W. and Setunge, S., 2024. On the hydration of limestone calcined kaolinitic clay cement and energy-efficient production. Cement and Concrete Composites, 153, p.105698.
- Jayathilakage, R., Gunasekara, C., Law, D. and Setunge, S.. Forthcoming. “Calcination and Mechanical Activation of Australian Upcycled Waste Clays for Low-Carbon Concrete” Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering. 10.1061/JMCEE7/MTENG-23431 (Accepted article)
- Jayathilakage, R., Gunasekara, C., Law, D., Setunge, S., Cwirzen, A., 2026 Mechanochemical-Calcination of Mixed Layer and Pure Kaolinite/Illite Clays for Use as Supplementary Cementitious Materials: Reactivity and Strength. Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, 10.1007/s43452-026-01480-y
You can read more on the RMIT website
