Platform on concrete and steel in construction
New solutions for concrete with lower CO₂ emissions without compromising performance. Expansion in Moerdijk accelerates further innovation and sustainability in the cement and concrete industry.
MOERDIJK, November 9, 2026 – Ecocem Benelux is expanding its portfolio of low-carbon binders with three new solutions: ECO2CEM R, a new generation of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) with increased reactivity, ECO2CEM III, a cement specially developed for precast applications, and ECO2CEM ACT, the latest generation of CO2-low-carbon cement. In addition, Ecocem is investing €12 million in additional silos and a new blender at its production facility in Moerdijk. With this investment, Ecocem is evolving from a manufacturer of clinker substitutes to a supplier of a broad portfolio of innovative binder solutions for the concrete industry.
The launch of the new products and the investment in Moerdijk were announced on November 6 during an event at Ecocem’s facility in Moerdijk. Approximately 150 guests were in attendance, including Dr. Ann Derwin, the Irish ambassador to the Netherlands, and Aart-Jan Moerkerke, mayor of Moerdijk. Speakers included Donal O’Riain, founder and CEO of Ecocem; Han ten Broeke, chief of staff to European Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra; and Diederik Samsom, former chief of staff to Frans Timmermans.
The precast concrete industry, in particular, faces a major challenge. The sector wants to further reduce CO₂ emissions, while ensuring that production processes remain efficient. Concrete products often need to be demolded as quickly as possible so that production molds can be reused. Many precast manufacturers therefore still rely on cement with a high clinker content.
GGBS can replace a large portion of the clinker, thereby significantly reducing CO₂ emissions. However, its relatively slower strength development sometimes limits its applicability in precast production. With ECO2CEM R Ecocem offers a suitable solution for this.
The product, developed at Ecocem’s innovation center, features an optimized composition with enhanced early reactivity. This makes it possible to produce concrete mixes with higher initial strength. As a result, manufacturers can use a higher proportion of GGBS and further reduce the clinker content without compromising production speed.
“The challenge in making precast concrete more sustainable is to reduce CO₂ emissions without losing sight of production efficiency,” says Paul Roos, Managing Director of Ecocem Benelux & Ireland. “With ECO2CEM R, we make it possible to replace more Portland cement while maintaining the required initial strength. This makes further CO₂ reduction not only technically feasible but also economically attractive.”
ECO2CEM R is an extension of ECO2CEM N, through which Ecocem has been contributing to making the concrete industry more sustainable for 25 years.
Following an intensive development process, Ecocem will launch in 2027 ECO2CEM III, a CEM III blend developed specifically for the precast concrete industry. The product offers precast concrete manufacturers a practical way to further reduce the CO₂ emissions from concrete.
“With ECO2CEM III, we offer precast manufacturers a tailor-made solution that combines a lower carbon footprint with the performance needed for efficient production,” as follows Roos.
Diederik Samsom During the event, he spoke about the need to continue investing in innovations that contribute to a sustainable future. He also highlighted the important role that companies like Ecocem can play.
“The cleantech solutions with the greatest impact often stand out for their elegant simplicity. Ecocem is living proof of that. ”As a chemist, I am deeply inspired by the innovations Ecocem has introduced to a product that has been around for centuries. Europe needs more pioneers like Ecocem.”
In addition to ECO2CEM R and ECO2CEM III, Ecocem is presenting its ACT Technology as the next step toward making the cement and concrete industry more sustainable. After more than ten years of research, Ecocem has developed an innovative technology that can significantly reduce the carbon footprint. ECO2CEM ACT uses less clinker and less GGBS, combined with specific raw materials. As such, it not only offers a solution to the current sustainability challenge but also provides a long-term perspective for when the availability of traditional clinker-replacing raw materials comes under further pressure.
Ecocem expects to be able to supply ACT cement to customers from Dunkirk starting in the first quarter of 2027.
“With ECO2CEM R, we are improving the performance of our existing GGBS solutions. With ACT, we are taking a fundamentally new step in cement technology,” says Roos.“Both developments share the same goal: to help our customers further reduce their CO₂ emissions with products that meet the technical and economic requirements of the construction industry.”
The expansion in Moerdijk also lays the groundwork for producing new binders and technologies—including ACT—closer to the Dutch market in the future.
Donal O'Riain pointed out that the Dutch construction sector—thanks in part to the Concrete Agreement—is an ideal market for introducing innovations and thus serves as a model for many other countries.
“The Netherlands is proving that clear guidelines, a level playing field, and the freedom to innovate can accelerate the transition to low-carbon construction. I hope that the progress made here will inspire a new generation of climate leaders across Europe.”
To produce the new generation of sustainable binders on an industrial scale, Ecocem is investing €12 million in its production facility in Moerdijk.
The investment includes additional silo capacity, a laboratory, and an advanced blender capable of combining various raw materials and GGBS fractions. The new facility makes it possible to develop products with precisely tailored properties and to produce them on a large scale.
Construction has now begun. The new mixing plant is expected to be completed in mid-2027. Delivery of ECO2CEM R and ECO2CEM III can then begin in the second half of 2027.
To give customers the opportunity to prepare in a timely manner, Ecocem plans to make test samples of the new products available starting in early 2027. This will allow interested concrete producers to test the product in their own production processes well before the new facility is fully operational.
“With this investment, we’re not only building additional capacity, but above all, additional flexibility,” as follows Roos. “The new facility enables us to develop products that better meet our customers” technical requirements and sustainability goals. By providing prototype samples even before the market launch, our customers can also gain experience with these new solutions in a timely manner.”
Neem dan rechtstreeks contact op met Ecocem.
Contact opnemen
Ecocem Benelux B.V., founded in 2001 to develop and produce an environmentally friendly cementitious binder, is a subsidiary of the Irish company Ecocem Materials Limited. In Moerdijk we grind a by-product of the steel industry, granulated blast furnace slag into a high-quality cementitious binder (eco₂cem) for use in high-performance concrete. The concrete and mortar industry has immediate sustainable access [...]
Bekijk Bedrijfsprofiel
