The innovative nature of engineering fascinates me. It gives me the opportunity to tackle real challenges and develop creative solutions.”
The cement industry is responsible for around eight percent of global CO2 emissions.”
It's about harmonizing ecological, social and economic aspects to ensure a future worth living for everyone.”
We are Working for green basic materials
Typical thyssenkrupp – these are the people who work here. In this series, we introduce you to our #GENERATIONTK. This time: Isabella Franco Ramirez. Isabella works as a chemical engineer in the research and development department at thyssenkrupp Polysius. A job with impact: true to the motto #greytogreen, the Polysius team is committed to leading the CO2-intensive cement industry towards climate neutrality.
What is it about?
We introduce Isabella Franco Ramirez. Born in Colombia, she works in the research and development department at thyssenkrupp Polysius. One of the sustainability-conscious engineer's main concerns is to drive forward the climate neutrality of the cement industry with smart innovations.
What's the point?
Isabella uses her analytical skills to develop creative solutions. These include the innovative polysius® pure oxyfuel technology, which can be used to separate CO2 and make it usable as a raw material for other industries.
What's the benefit?
The cement industry is responsible for around seven percent of global CO2 emissions. thyssenkrupp Polysius is one of the pioneers in the growth market for clean technologies.
Isabella developed a penchant for analytical thinking, mathematics, physics and chemistry at an early age. This enthusiasm led her to engineering. “The innovative nature of this discipline fascinates me,” she says. “It gives me the opportunity to tackle real challenges and come up with creative solutions.”
At thyssenkrupp Polysius, the young engineer was offered a wide range of opportunities for this right from the start: The company, which plans and builds plants for the cement industry, is a leading provider of green technologies. As part of thyssenkrupp's Decarbon Technologies segment, it supports customers on their way to more sustainable cement production.
Award for an outstanding thesis
Isabella joined Polysius during her studies at Münster University of Applied Sciences, first writing her bachelor's thesis and later her master's thesis at the company. Today, she can look back on an impressive academic career: after receiving an honorary scholarship from the Colombian Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana, Isabella was awarded the VDI (Association of German Engineers) sponsorship prize in 2023 for her outstanding engineering thesis.
Isabella Ramirez (4th from left) received the VDI sponsorship award for her final thesis at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Münster University of Applied Sciences. Photo: FH Münster / Frederik Tebbe
Rethinking cement production
Isabella is currently working as a process engineer in the research and development department to drive forward climate-neutral solutions for the cement industry. And that is a massive task. “The cement industry is responsible for around seven percent of global CO2 emissions,” reports Isabella. “These emissions are not only caused by burning fossil fuels. Above all, they are formed during the chemical process of calcination, in which limestone is converted into calcium oxide and CO2 in an energy-intensive process. Calcium oxide is one of the main components in the mix of raw materials from which cement is later produced.”
One key to decarbonizing the cement industry is the innovative polysius® pure oxyfuel technology. By adding pure oxygen, almost 100 percent of the CO2 in the exhaust gas that is detrimental to the climate can be captured in concentrated form. The separated carbon dioxide is not released into the atmosphere but is first cleaned and liquefied before it is either stored or used in other industries. CO2 can also be used as a replacement for fossil carbon and therefore as a raw material to produce “refuels” and other carbon products.
Securing future resources
With her work, the engineer combines ambitious technical goals with a significant commitment to greater sustainability. Making the world a better place is also a matter close to Isabella's heart. “For me personally, sustainability means using our resources responsibly to meet the needs of today's generation without compromising the needs of future generations,” says Isabella. “It's about harmonizing ecological, social and economic aspects to ensure a future worth living for everyone.”
Born in Colombia, Isabella loves discovering new landscapes and getting to know other cultures. Photos: private
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