HCRDI’s Low-Carbon Cement Grinding Technology Recognized as Internationally Leading

On 13 August, an expert appraisal meeting was held at the CNBM (Hefei) Technology Center to evaluate the project entitled *Development and Application of Classification-Based Combined Grinding Technology and Equipment for Low-Carbon Cement through Coordinated Composition and Particle-Size Control*. The meeting was organized by the China Building Materials Federation.
The appraisal committee was chaired by Professor Zhang Lianmeng, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at Wuhan University of Technology, with Kong Xiangzhong, former Executive President of the China Cement Association, serving as deputy chair. The committee brought together leading experts from the China Building Materials Academy, the China Building Materials Industry Planning, Research and Design Institute, Tianshan Materials, Tianjin Cement Industry Design & Research Institute, and Sinoma International Engineering (Nanjing), among other organizations.
Following a comprehensive review, the committee concluded that the project had reached an internationally advanced level overall, with its core classification-based combined grinding technology achieving an internationally leading level.

Addressing Key Challenges in Conventional Cement Grinding
The project was jointly completed by Hefei Cement Research & Design Institute Co., Ltd. (HCRDI) and CNBM (Hefei) Powder Technology Equipment Co., Ltd.
Conventional intergrinding systems often produce a mismatch between component properties and particle-size distribution. This can limit clinker reactivity, reduce the system’s ability to accommodate different materials and increase the carbon footprint of cement production. After years of research and industrial development, the project team established an integrated technology and equipment solution incorporating three major innovations.
First, the team developed a multi-factor model for the coordinated control of particle size, composition and reactivity. By identifying how different supplementary cementitious materials contribute to cement performance, the project introduced a new strategy for matching the particle-size distribution of multiple constituents with specific performance requirements. This led to a low-carbon cement formulation method based on targeted functionality and a bimodal distribution of inert constituents.
Second, based on the interaction between cement composition, particle size and hydration behaviour, the team developed a flexible grinding solution that can accommodate different raw materials and cement types. The resulting process integrates separate grinding, performance optimization and product conditioning with online control. An intelligent roller press capable of maintaining a highly stable material bed and high-precision classification equipment were also developed, significantly improving process flexibility and product consistency.
Third, the project integrated mechanism-based models, operational data and expert knowledge into an advanced control system. Plant-wide multidimensional sensing, digital twins and intelligent operations and maintenance technologies were combined to create an integrated digital management platform covering production, management and maintenance. The platform enables precise, plant-wide control of the strongly coupled process parameters involved in classification-based combined grinding, supporting flexible production and sustained, high-efficiency operation.

Proven Performance in Industrial Applications
The project has generated 16 granted Chinese patents covering inventions, utility models and industrial designs, as well as one international patent under the PCT framework. It has also secured five software copyrights and resulted in the publication of 18 technical papers.
The technology has been successfully applied on 27 production lines operated by cement producers in China and overseas, including Meizhou Huangma Cement, Southern Cement, BBMG Jidong Cement and Red Lion Cement in Laos.
Industrial operating data show that, in the production of 42.5-grade cement, the technology reduced the clinker factor by 8% and lowered specific carbon emissions by 57 kg per tonne of cement. These results demonstrate significant economic, environmental and operational benefits, while also improving cement quality and supporting the industry’s transition towards lower-carbon production. 

Advancing Low-Carbon Cement Production
HCRDI will accelerate the deployment of its complete classification-based combined grinding solution in both domestic and international markets. Through continued technological innovation and industrial application, the company aims to help cement producers reduce clinker consumption, lower carbon emissions, improve product quality and advance green and intelligent manufacturing.