ClimateJune 16, 2026
clinker
/ˈklɪŋkər/
Definition
A stony residue produced by heating limestone and clay in a kiln, which serves as the essential binding component in the manufacturing of cement.
Etymology
The word originated in the 17th century from the Dutch word 'klinker', meaning a brick that makes a ringing sound when struck. It was later applied to the hard, glassy residue formed during high-temperature combustion or industrial processing.
In the news
The article mentions 'cement clinker' to highlight industrial sectors with low energy efficiency; it refers to the intermediate product of cement production that requires significant energy to process.
NDRC launches 3-year energy-saving, carbon-reduction retrofit campaign for nine key industries
Read the full article ↗Global Times