Advancing Low-Carbon Innovation in Viet Nam’s Cement Sector through LC3 Knowledge Exchange

The workshop is part of UNIDO’s efforts to support industrial decarbonization of Viet Nam's cement sector. “Industrial decarbonization is a growing priority for Viet Nam. The transition must support competitiveness, innovation and sustainable growth. UNIDO plays a key role in bringing partners together and helping scale proven solutions. LC3 demonstrates how climate action can go hand in hand with industrial development,” said Ms. Le Thi Thanh Thao, UNIDO Country Representative in Viet Nam.

Cement and concrete are essential to development, but cement production accounts for approximately 7–8 percent of global CO₂ emissions. As the world’s third-largest cement producer, Viet Nam’s cement industry accounts for around 16% of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions, making decarbonization critical to achieving climate goals while maintaining the industry’s competitiveness.

LC3 offers a practical and scalable solution. Replacing part of the clinker with calcined clay and limestone can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 40 percent compared with conventional Portland cement, while maintaining comparable performance and durability. LC3 can also be produced using existing cement infrastructure with relatively limited investment.

Originally developed through research at École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, LC3 has evolved into a globally recognized low-carbon cement solution. For Viet Nam, it offers an opportunity to advance the country’s Net Zero 2050 commitment, Green Growth Strategy and NDCs, while making greater use of abundant local clay resources, strengthening domestic value chains and reducing reliance on increasingly constrained supplementary cementitious materials.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Luong Duc Long, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Cement Association (VNCA) added: “LC3 offers an opportunity for Viet Nam’s cement industry to reduce emissions while maintaining competitiveness and meeting growing construction demand. Wider adoption will require supportive policies, appropriate standards, investment, and continued cooperation across the value chain.”

The LC3 Workshop provided a platform for government agencies, cement producers, technology providers, research institutions, financial institutions and development partners to explore practical pathways for LC3 adoption in Viet Nam. Discussions covered global cement decarbonization trends, LC3 technology, its relevance to the Vietnamese context, local clay availability, calcined clay production, standards and specifications, and the sustainability strategy of the cement sector.  The workshop also examined technology choices and implementation pathways, helping bridge the gap between scientific research and industrial application. Dr. Hoang Huu Tan, Deputy Director General, Department of Science, Technology, Environment and Building Materials, Ministry of Construction (MOC) emphasized: “For Viet Nam, the development of LC3 should be approached comprehensively and based on sound scientific evidence, covering the assessment of clay resources and quality; calcination, grinding and blending technologies; cement performance and durability; economic viability; as well as applicable standards, technical regulations and market acceptance. In particular, proposed solutions need to be validated and adapted to the raw materials, technologies and production practices of Viet Nam’s cement industry.”

Switzerland has played an important role in the development and knowledge exchange around LC3, with the Low Carbon Construction Association (LCCA) supporting its application internationally. Mr. Benjamin Müller, Chargé d’affairs a.i, Embassy of Switzerland in Viet Nam, noted: “LC3 demonstrates how research, international cooperation and industrial innovation can come together to address the climate challenge. Switzerland is pleased to support knowledge exchange and partnerships that contribute to Viet Nam’s sustainable industrial development.” 

The LC3 Day Workshop marks an important step toward identifying practical pathways for decarbonizing Viet Nam’s cement sector, highlighting the need for coordinated action across policy, industry and research. In this context, UNIDO’s Energy Systems and Industrial Decarbonization unit supports cement-sector decarbonization through an integrated approach combining policy frameworks, technology deployment, financing and market creation. This systemic approach enables scalable transformation of the cement sector toward low-carbon production while maintaining industrial competitiveness and supporting national climate goals. This is reflected in UNIDO - Government of Viet Nam’s 2025-2028 Country Programme’s priority on “Promoting a just transition to a green industry and circular economy”. 

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Rasha Abdrabu - Industrial Development Officer 
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
Email: R.ABDRABU@unido.org

Ms. Trinh Thi Cham
Viet Nam Institute for Building Materials (VIBM)
Email: chamtt87@gmail.com | Telephone: 0987 786 670

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About UNIDO Viet Nam

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations with a unique mandate to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development.

Through its Country Programme for Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development in Viet Nam (2025–2028), UNIDO supports the development of competitive, resource-efficient, and low-carbon industries. Key areas of work include promoting eco-industrial parks, circular economy approaches, energy and resource efficiency, industrial decarbonization, innovation, responsible business conduct, and sustainable value chains. UNIDO also supports policy development, capacity-building, and partnerships that help industries enhance productivity while reducing environmental impacts.

UNIDO contributes to building resilient and sustainable industrial ecosystems that support Viet Nam’s industrial modernization and net-zero emissions by 2050.

About Embassy of Switzerland in Vietnam 

The Embassy of Switzerland in Viet Nam represents Switzerland and promotes strong bilateral relations across the political, economic, financial, scientific, educational and cultural fields. Its Swiss Cooperation Office, operated by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), implements Switzerland’s economic development cooperation programme in close partnership with Vietnamese authorities, the private sector, multilateral institutions and other development partners. For 2025-2028, the programme focuses on three priorities: sustainable trade and innovation; sustainable public and private finance; and climate-smart industrial and urban development, supporting Viet Nam’s transition towards a resilient, high-income economy.

About LC3

Limestone Calcined Clay Cement (LC3) is a low-carbon blended cement that replaces a substantial proportion of clinker with calcined clay and limestone. It can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 40 per cent compared with conventional Portland cement while maintaining comparable performance and durability. LC3 can be integrated into existing cement production systems and make use of locally available clay resources, offering a scalable pathway for reducing cement-sector emissions.