Ecocem opens new research and innovation center

New R&I facility accelerates solution for large-scale low-carbon cement production

Ecocem, European leader in low-CO2 concrete technology, yesterday opened a new research and innovation center just outside Paris. With this, Ecocem is making targeted investments to further accelerate the development of solutions for the cement and concrete sector. The center covers 3,300 m², features state-of-the-art research capabilities and required an investment of more than €10 million.

With the new research and innovation center, Ecocem is consciously opting for science-based innovation. The focus is on further developing and scaling up technologies for low-CO2 cement and concrete. Central to these developments is the use of scm's (supplementary cementitious materials) and mineral additives to replace clinker, the most carbon-intensive component of cement and responsible for more than 90% of emissions.

The next step

In Dunkirk, the first production line is currently being completed for ACT, Ecocem's scalable cement technology that saves 70% of CO2 compared to CEMI. The new research and innovation center should be the next step in the decarbonization of the cement and concrete sector. Ecocem's ambition is to move the sector toward net-zero by 2040, ten years ahead of the global target, and without relying on carbon capture.

Ecocem's R&I team is led by Roberta Alfani and consists of 30 highly skilled engineers and technicians with multidisciplinary backgrounds and more than ten nationalities. They work daily in Chilly-Mazarin on new low-carbon cements and technologies for industrial mortars and concrete while also exploring innovations in construction chemistry. Work in the new lab contributes to industry standards and standardization, supports collaboration with partners in construction and infrastructure, and supports Ecocem's ambition to deliver solutions that enable up to 90% reductions in global cement emissions by 2030, at no additional cost. 

Accelerating together with industry

According to Roberta Alfani, the new research and innovation center has one of the most complete development labs in the cement industry. "Our new center focuses on the efficient use of a wide range of existing and new cementitious materials and the development of low-carbon cements and technologies. It will accelerate our capacity to develop new materials and work with academics and partners to test and trial new solutions. We look forward to working with industry to accelerate the adoption of low CO₂ solutions."

The center was officially opened by Niall Burgess, Ireland's ambassador to France and Monaco. "Ecocem is pre-eminently a symbol of industrial cooperation in Europe and of France and Ireland in particular. As a pioneer for years, Ecocem has shown that innovation for low-CO2 cement is scalable. This is exactly the energy Europe needs: close collaboration that leads to a stronger, innovative and greener economy."

The opening of the research and innovation center in Chilly-Mazarin is part of Ecocem's broader innovation agenda. In recent years, the company invested €70 million in research, development and new facilities to enable global scale-up. This milestone follows the recent toelting of ACT in France, the new production line in Dunkirk, and an additional €170 million investment to build four more ACT production lines by 2030. In addition, a plant is being hard at work in the US and several expansions are planned in Moerdijk.