The effect of certain trace elements-Cr, Zn, Ba, Ni, Ti, P-on clinker grindability vas studied. From the study of commercial and model clinkers, it was concluded that the trace elements studied favorably influence and improve the grindability of clinkers. The effect of trace elements is due to the fact that they favorably influence the clinker formation processes (the quantity and property of the "molten phase") on the one hand. and on the other hand that during clinker burning they form solid solutions with silicate minerals (alite, belite) and thereby reduce their hardness. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.