Holcim has invested in a UK-based advanced materials company that has pioneered a process to mineralise CO2 to create an additive for concrete that lowers the amount of cement that is used.
Vateris’ breakthrough is a process that converts CO2 in flue gas into a high-performance, calcium-based material that can be added to ready-mix and pre-cast concrete. Furthermore, the material is said to improve the concrete’s strength, as well as reducing the amount of cement used in its production.
Alfonso Paradinas, chief marketing and innovation officer at Holcim, said: “By integrating CO2 mineralisation, Vateris’ technology has the ability to reduce the cement used in concrete and lower its carbon footprint. This investment in the company’s breakthrough innovation adds to the wide range of decarbonisation technologies that we are scaling up for the built environment.”
Vateris has successfully demonstrated its technology in a UK pilot project with Holcim and is nearing commercial deployment through strategic industrial partnerships. Together, the two companies will focus on integrating Vateris’ mineralisation process within Holcim’s cement and concrete production environments, scaling engineered calcium carbonate additives and exploring joint development opportunities across Holcim’s global operations.
This investment broadens Holcim’s range of decarbonisation technologies, centred on its open innovation ecosystem. Holcim is assessing more than 500 startups annually through Holcim MAQER Ventures, its corporate venture capital unit. Holcim has made 20 investments to date through Holcim MAQER Ventures.
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