Mohammed Taj al-Din al-Hajj Husayn, CEO of Green Applications Company in Saudi Arabia, confirmed that investing in local volcanic stones, igneous rocks, and pozzolanic materials in Syria contributes to developing the cement industry and green concrete, reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, while enhancing the quality and durability of structures and supporting sustainable reconstruction.
Al-Hajj Husayn explained in a statement to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that partially replacing Portland cement with suitable natural pozzolanic materials according to studied ratios reduces the need for clinker, lowers energy consumption and carbon emissions, and improves the engineering properties of concrete, extending its service life.
Diverse Geological Resources
Al-Hajj Husayn, who has over 30 years of experience in pozzolana, cement, and concrete, pointed out that the spread of volcanic and igneous rocks in various areas such as the Damascus countryside, Suwayda, Homs, and Aleppo provides opportunities to study their use in producing sustainable cement and concrete, as well as manufacturing lightweight blocks and thermal insulation materials.
He noted that these rocks vary in their chemical and mineral composition and physical properties, making their usage dependent on the results of technical analyses and tests. Some types may possess suitable pozzolanic activity for cement production, while others can be utilized in producing aggregates, construction materials, and thermal insulation.
Enhancing Structure Durability and Energy Efficiency
Al-Hajj Husayn clarified that using suitable natural pozzolana in cement mixes contributes to improving concrete's resistance to water, chlorides, and sulfates penetration, and reducing steel reinforcement corrosion, thereby enhancing structure durability and lowering long-term maintenance and repair costs.
He emphasized the necessity of strengthening cooperation between universities, research centers, laboratories, cement and concrete factories, and Syrian industrial entities to conduct chemical and mineral analyses, physical tests, and pozzolanic activity tests on local resources, and to determine optimal uses and ratios before moving to commercial production.
Leveraging Global Experiences
Al-Hajj Husayn stressed the importance of benefiting from Saudi and global experiences in developing green cement and concrete, encouraging the use of local materials, and recycling industrial waste and construction and demolition debris. This supports green mining and the circular economy while reducing reliance on imported materials.
He believed that developing national industries based on Syrian volcanic and igneous rocks could open new investment opportunities, contribute to job creation, reduce the costs of some construction materials, and develop products with added value suitable for local marketing and export after meeting technical requirements.
Al-Hajj Husayn noted that reconstructing Syria represents an opportunity to adopt more sustainable construction technologies and materials that combine economic efficiency, environmental protection, and improved structure quality, while preserving natural resources for future generations.
It is worth mentioning that Mohammed Taj al-Din al-Hajj Husayn is a member of technical and scientific committees at the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), and has authored scientific papers and given specialized international lectures.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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