The Clinker Factor

Hosted by World Cement Association

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Aug 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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August 10, 2026Episode 6238 min

Climate Action Through Collaboration: The Role of Industry Associations

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Guillaume Lane, Engagement and Impact Lead at Climate Action for Associations (CAFA), about the critical role industry associations play in accelerating climate action across hard-to-abate sectors. Guillaume begins by explaining CAFA's mission to help membership organisations embed sustainability into their strategies, strengthen climate leadership, and coordinate action across industries. The conversation explores why associations have become increasingly important in shaping policy, supporting corporate political responsibility, and helping businesses manage climate risk while building the business case for sustainability.

July 14, 2026Episode 6137 min

Decarbonising Cement at Scale: Investment, Inclusion, and Impact

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Sinem Demir Duru, Operations Officer and Asia Cement Sector Lead at the International Finance Corporation (IFC), about the role of finance, policy, and industry collaboration in accelerating the decarbonisation of the global cement sector. Sinem discusses how IFC combines investment, technical advisory, and strategic partnerships to help scale energy efficiency, alternative fuels, and other decarbonisation initiatives across one of the world's fastest-growing cement markets. The conversation also explores why increasing diversity is essential for attracting new perspectives, strengthening leadership, and driving innovation across the cement value chain. Looking ahead, Sinem shares her perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing the industry as it works towards net zero, and the partnerships, investments, and policy frameworks that will be needed to accelerate the transition while supporting long-term industrial growth.

June 17, 2026Episode 6048 min

From Architecture to Advanced Concrete: Rethinking Materials for a Sustainable Future

In this episode of The Clinker Factor, Guest Host Daniel Summerbell, Co-Founder & Chief Solutions Officer at Gigaton (formerly Carbon Re) and WCA Member, talks to Julie Larsen and Roger Hubeli, Co-Principals of APTUM and Associate Professors at Syracuse University’s School of Architecture, about the intersection of architecture, materials research, and innovation in the built environment. Julie and Roger reflect on their backgrounds and training, tracing their journey from architectural practice and academia into advanced materials research. The conversation explores APTUM’s long-standing collaboration with Cemex Global R&D and how working closely with industry partners has enabled a series of experimental projects that challenge conventional assumptions about concrete. From floatable concrete structures inspired by natural ecosystems to ongoing research into foldable concrete systems, Julie and Roger discuss some of the most exciting developments in advanced cementitious materials and the opportunities they create for both performance and sustainability.

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.