A non-cement concrete that can help cut back on greenhouse gas emissions has been developed by South Korean scientists, the government said Monday.

The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology said a team of scientists led by Chonnam National University professor Song Jin-kyu created a concrete that eliminates cement altogether from the key building material.

The research project, which received state research and development funding, uses blast furnace slags and fly ash to replace cement, which is then mixed with "Effective Microorganisms" and light strengthening materials.

The removal of cement from concrete is important because the limestone sintering process used in making cement burns huge amounts of fossil fuel, which generates about seven per cent of all carbon dioxide contributing to global warming.

Song, who teaches architecture engineering and leads the university’s Biohousing Research Institute, said the eco-friendly concrete also has improved insulation properties compared to ordinary cement, reducing building costs and overall weight.

He added that the new material is more heat-resistant, does not emit harmful heavy metals into buildings and is less expensive to make than regular concrete, making it competitive as a future building material.

The technology to make the new concrete has been transferred to two local companies that will start commercial production.