Ecocem inaugurates its new Research & Innovation Centre

The strategic investment of more than 10 million euros made by the independent Franco-Irish family group will allow a new step to be taken in the decarbonization of the construction sector.

With an area of ​​3.300 m², the new laboratory, entirely dedicated to low-carbon cements and concretes, marks a decisive step in Ecocem's mission: to develop scalable and accessible solutions enabling the cement industry to decarbonize by 50% by 2030. Equipped with a full range of state-of-the-art equipment, the laboratory allows the group to carry out all technical tests and characterizations, even the most complex – from raw materials to finished product – including the performance of pilot-scale tests under conditions similar to real production conditions.

Unique technologies

Designed to support the industrialization of innovations at Ecocem sites, the laboratory benefits from the combination of two grinding technologies: a ball mill and an orbital mill. Among the few facilities with such expertise in grinding and pilot-scale testing, it positions France at the forefront of low-carbon cement science.

The R&D Center is also dedicated to the optimized use of all locally available low-carbon mineral additives. This work aims to drastically reduce the use of clinker, which is responsible for 95% of cement's carbon emissions. The laboratory will make it possible to go beyond the 70% emission reduction already achieved with ACT, Ecocem's technology, and to prepare the next generation of low-carbon technologies.

According to Dr. Roberta Alfani, Director of Research and Innovation at Ecocem: “Our new Research and Innovation Centre positions Ecocem at the forefront of research on low-carbon cement technologies. Our goal: to exceed the 70% footprint reduction achieved with ACT, to establish new standards and to prove that performance, cost and low carbon can coexist.”

Ecocem's Research & Innovation department relies on a team of highly qualified experts, engineers and technicians, representing ten nationalities and multidisciplinary backgrounds. They account for 20% of Ecocem's total workforce.

According to Conor O'Riain, CEO of Ecocem: “For 25 years, we have remained true to our pioneering spirit. The investment in this new laboratory demonstrates Ecocem’s ongoing commitment to accelerating the reduction of emissions from cement. It is a powerful symbol and an important milestone in our history. We are reaffirming our determination to provide high-performance, proven, low-carbon solutions for all uses at competitive costs.”

The ultimate realization of a Research & Innovation investment strategy of more than 70 million euros over the last ten years, this new laboratory confirms Ecocem's ability to combine science, industry and climate impact to sustainably transform the cement and construction sector.