Ecocem open new R&I centre in France
Opening of new research and innovation centre to accelerate low-carbon cement solutions
ECOCEM, Europe’s leading provider of low-carbon cement technologies, have officially opened their new research and innovation (R&I) centre in France, which will play a key role in the company’s strategy to deliver decarbonization solutions to the cement and concrete industries.
Costing more than €10 million, the 3,300m2 facility reinforces Ecocem’s commitment to science-based disruption, and their focus on developing and delivering low-carbon cement technologies capable of using a range of alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and mineral additions to replace clinker, the carbon-intensive component in cement which is responsible for over 90% of its emissions.
By enabling further cement decarbonization beyond the 70% already achievable with Ecocem’s ACT technology, the centre will support Ecocem’s ambition to provide the cement industry with the means to reach net zero by 2040, ten years ahead of global targets, and without reliance on carbon capture.
Donal O’Riain, founder and global managing director of Ecocem, said: ‘For 25 years Ecocem have focused exclusively on low-carbon cement technologies. With ACT, our scalable low-carbon cement technology close to commercial availability, the new centre will allow us to go further and faster. We will build on the 18 million tonnes of CO2 reductions already achieved and accelerate the development of solutions that can deliver net-zero cement by 2040, ten years ahead of schedule.
‘What is needed now is widespread adoption of available low-carbon cement technologies by the cement industry, which will allow it to become the first industrial sector to achieve a 1.5°C decarbonization trajectory.’
Led by Roberta Alfani, Ecocem’s in-house research and innovation team consists of 30 highly qualified engineers and technicians whose focus is on developing new low-carbon cements and technologies for industrial mortars, concretes, and exploring innovative solutions in building chemistry. Work carried out at the new facility will inform industry standards, support collaborations with partners across construction and infrastructure, and underpin Ecocem’s ambition to deliver solutions for a 90% reduction in global cement emissions by 2030, without additional cost.
Commenting on the new research and innovation centre Ms Alfani said: ‘Our new centre, which focuses on the high-efficiency usage of a wide range of existing and new cementitious materials and the development of low-carbon cements and technologies, is one of the most complete development laboratories in the global cement industry. It will accelerate our ability to develop a range of low-carbon materials and work with academics and partners to test and trial new solutions. We look forward to working with the industry to accelerate adoption of a range of low-carbon solutions.’
The new centre was officially unveiled this week by Niall Burgess, Ireland’s ambassador to France and Monaco, who said: ‘Ecocem represent the best of Franco-Irish companies and are a symbol of industrial collaboration between our two countries, as a company born in Ireland and now deeply rooted in France, its largest market. An industrial pioneer, Ecocem have demonstrated long-term commitment to scaling low-carbon innovation, all the while illustrating Franco-Irish closeness, essential for a strong, more innovative and greener Europe.’
The centre also marks the latest chapter in Ecocem’s wider investment in innovation. Over the past decade, the company has committed €70 million to research, development, and new facilities, ensuring its solutions can scale across global markets.
This announcement follows other recent milestones for ACT, including regulatory approvals in France, a new production plant in Dunkirk, a further €170 million investment to construct four new ACT production lines in France by 2030, industry certification in the US, and partnerships with leading construction firms such as Bouygues Construction, Vinci Construction, and the Titan Group.
