The cement industry is at a turning point. Responsible for almost 8% of all global emissions, the way we make and use cement has not changed for over two hundred years. The result is that we are stuck with systems that extract only a small portion of the performance potential of cement when it is used in practice.
With global efforts to decarbonise accelerating, the industry must find ways to reduce the use of clinker, the source of over 90% of CO2 emissions, from the current production process. We need bold innovation to find large volumes of materials we can substitute for clinker. Transforming By-products from the steel industry is a promising pathway to creating high volume and high-performance, sustainable solutions. That is why the recent research grant awarded to a consortium of Europe’s top academic and industrial experts, led by Ecocem is so critical.
The €4 million in research funding from the European Innovation Council (EIC) through the Pathfinder Challenges 2024 will enable research into the use of Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) slag for low-carbon cement. The use of EAF slags in cements is crucial to increasing the availability of clinker substitutes. This will avoid sending material to landfill and ensure we extract maximum potential from a valuable resource. The Eco-Slag-CEM project will optimise the reactivity, environmental compatibility, and durability of EAF-slag cements. This includes thermal and microbiological treatments, granulation, the development of dedicated activation systems including microbiological accelerators and extensive leaching and durability testing, to produce cement that can compete with current low-carbon solutions.
For over twenty-five years, Ecocem has pioneered the use of various slags and cementitious materials to create durable low-carbon cement. The key challenge to date has been scalability, limited by the perceived lack of alternative materials or SCMs (Supplementary Cementitious Materials). Our most recent innovation ACT has cracked this problem and can be used with a range of SCMs, delivering the required performance in terms of durability, workability, and strength in any concrete it is used to make. This latest award is a testament to our focus on innovation, but more importantly, it’s an opportunity to advance cost-effective real-world solutions in an essential industry with few options.
The steel industry in Europe is shifting away from traditional blast furnace methods toward electrified production using electric arc furnaces—producing EAF slag as a by-product. Instead of treating it as waste, we see enormous potential in repurposing EAF slag for cement. By enhancing its reactivity, we aim to integrate it effectively into low-carbon cements, ensuring strength and durability while reducing reliance on carbon-intensive materials. Ultimately, the goal is to make EAF slag work effectively as an SCM without compromising the reactivity and durability of the cements it is used to make.
This project is not just about technical breakthroughs—it’s about collaboration. Our industry-wide shift will be powered by the consortium and the strategic partnerships we have forged with ArcelorMittal, leading academic institutions like the University of Toulouse, and research institutes including the FehS Building Materials Institute. Together, we’re accelerating the decarbonisation of the construction sector, proving that the cement industry can—and must—innovate for a sustainable future.
Cement is one of the most essential construction materials—yet it remains one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. The potential for transformation is massive, with opportunities to help the cement industry achieve the 2050 net-zero target. Supported by Horizon Europe, this research aligns with EU climate goals, recognising the urgency of the low-carbon transition.
Looking ahead, our work will define the next generation of cement technologies. With this €4 million research grant, Ecocem and its consortium partners will push boundaries, setting the stage for industry-wide decarbonisation. The future is within reach—we just have to create it.
Simon Blotevogel is one of Ecocem’s a research scientist and was the recipient of the most recent Klaus-Dyckerhoff-Prize for Young Scientist awarded at the International Conference on Building Materials (ibausil) in Weimar 2023. The prize is awarded to young scientists for research on the application or production of hydraulic binders and their admixtures.
Simon’s work focuses on the use of new and emerging slags in cementitious materials. He is also involved in supervising PhD students on adjacent topics such as mineral carbonation, glass-based alkali-activated binders, and wood-concrete composites.
Ecocem, Europe’s leader in low-carbon cement technologies, as part of a consortium of Europe’s leading academic and industrial leaders, has today announced it has been awarded €4 million in research funding the European Innovation Council
TITAN and Ecocem will work together to co-develop and deploy a bespoke version of ACT, Ecocem’s scalable low-carbon cement technology.