The Clinker Factor

Hosted by World Cement Association

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May 2026

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About the show

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.

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May 21, 2026Episode 5935 min

The Race to Reduce Clinker: Carbon Upcycling’s 5 Mt Vision

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Markus Kritzler, CEO of Carbon Upcycling, about the changing dynamics of the global cement and materials sector and the growing role of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) in industrial decarbonisation. Markus reflects on his route into the cement industry and SCM innovation, as well as the challenge of attracting new talent into a sector increasingly shaped by technology, sustainability, and advanced manufacturing. The discussion also examines how SCM investments are becoming both a domestic manufacturing strategy and an emissions reduction lever, with Markus sharing updates on Carbon Upcycling’s flagship commercial project at the Ash Grove Mississauga cement plant and the company’s broader commercialisation roadmap.

April 28, 2026Episode 5838 min

From Kiln to Capture: The Rise of Oxyfuel Technology

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.

March 25, 2026Episode 5737 min

Decarbonising Cement: Strategy Meets Technology

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to John Kline, Principal at Kline Consulting, LLC, about the forces reshaping the global cement industry. John reflects on his journey in the sector and the key differences he sees across US, European, and global markets. He shares insights into how digitisation is transforming plant operations, where AI is delivering measurable results, and where expectations still exceed reality. Looking ahead, John outlines the capabilities cement companies must build now to stay competitive in a decade defined by energy transition, regulatory pressure, and technological disruption.

March 9, 2026Episode 5626 min

Breaking Barriers: Women Leading Change in Cement

In this special International Women’s Day episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Natalija Jovasevic, Sustainability and Communications Officer at the WCA, talks to Buffy Price, Co-Founder of Carbon Re, about leadership, diversity, and the role government must play in supporting industrial AI and climate innovation. The conversation tackles the gender imbalance across the cement industry, exploring why so few roles are held by women and what must change to improve both gender and cultural diversity. Buffy also reflects on engaging with policymakers, including a recent visit to 10 Downing Street to discuss AI opportunities with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

February 5, 2026Episode 5537 min

Circular Concrete Unleashed: How everox Is Pioneering Change

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Thomas Petitguenin, CEO of everox, about how circular innovation is redefining the future of concrete. Thomas shares the technology behind everox’s approach, unpacking how concrete waste can be transformed into valuable resources for new construction and what this means for performance, scalability, and deployment at industrial scale. Looking ahead, they explore the role of circularity in accelerating decarbonisation across the built environment, the implications for cement and concrete value chains, and what success looks like as the industry moves toward a more resource-efficient, low-carbon future.

January 14, 2026Episode 5438 min

Smart Plants, Real Results: AI in Cement Manufacturing

In our first podcast of 2026, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Ricardo Carvalho, Chief Digital Officer at Secil, about driving digital transformation in cement manufacturing. Ricardo shares his journey into the cement sector and his role leading digital initiatives across Secil’s operations in Portugal, Tunisia, Lebanon, Brazil, and Angola. They explore how digitalisation and artificial intelligence are being applied in practical, operational settings, from predictive analytics in production to empowering frontline teams with digital and AI capabilities. The discussion also focuses on bridging operational technology with enterprise systems, building digital-ready teams, and the real business value of AI when deployed at scale. Ricardo shares insights on what it takes for traditional manufacturing companies to become more efficient, resilient, and profitable through digital transformation, and what the next phase of Industry 4.0 could look like for cement.

December 9, 2025Episode 5329 min

Electrifying Cement: How Plasma Tech Is Rewriting Clinker Production

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Bengt Steinbrecher, Head of Holcim MAQER Ventures, and Eric Jacobson, CCO of SaltX Technology, to explore how their partnership is driving innovation in low-carbon cement production. They delve into the strategic rationale behind the SaltX–Holcim collaboration and the technical foundations of SaltX’s plasma-based electric clinker technology. They also highlight the challenges of scaling, from supply chains and plant integration to the balance between retrofitting and new builds, and the commercial implications of cost, licensing, and deployment at scale.

November 11, 2025Episode 5241 min

The Cement Talent Crisis: Who Will Build the Future?

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Cobi Busst, Senior Consultant at Beaumont Bailey, to unpack the shifting talent landscape in the cement industry. They explore why talent shortages have become so acute, what makes the sector’s challenges unique, and where operational impacts are being felt most strongly. From the growing difficulty in hiring senior roles to the rising demand for carbon and sustainability expertise, the discussion dives into the evolving role of recruitment as a strategic lever for transformation.They also discuss the latest report from Beaumont Bailey, The Cement Industry’s Talent Crisis, which provides fresh data and insights on the scale of skills gaps, talent flows, and workforce priorities across the sector.

October 15, 2025Episode 5124 min

From Skills Shortages to Industry Impact: Rethinking Human Capital in Cement

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to Suhair Abu Salem, Human Capital & Communication Director at A³&Co. and fellow WCA Member. They explore Suhair’s career journey, discussing her background and experience as a woman in leadership, and what “human capital” really means in practice. Their conversation dives into the pressing issue of current talent shortages across the cement industry, by exploring the extent of skills gaps and their impact on operations, and why diversity is essential for driving lasting impact in the sector.

July 28, 2025Episode 5035 min

Building a Greener Future: Inside Material Evolution’s Cement Revolution

In this episode of the Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Carbon Re and WCA Member, talks to David Hughes, Chief Scientific Officer at Material Evolution, to discuss how the company is pioneering ultra-low carbon cement with its patented Alkali Fusion® technology and AI-driven innovation. They go on to cover sourcing industrial waste, performance testing and certification, scaling challenges to the launch of the UK’s first industrial geopolymer cement facility and the role of radical collaboration in driving real climate impact.