Ecocem creates global science council to accelerate low-carbon cement adoption

Comprising eleven of the world’s foremost materials scientists, drawn from leading global institutions, the Council will build on Ecocem’s longstanding collaboration with the scientists whose research has already contributed to Ecocem’s groundbreaking ACT technology which reduces CO₂ emissions by 70% compared with traditional cement.

Cement accounts for 8% of global CO₂ emissions and the Council’s mandate is to:

• Deliver an annual statement of research and innovation priorities to decarbonise cement and concrete production globally.
• Review and exchange insights from global research programmes and identify new avenues for collaboration.
• Provide independent scientific perspectives on materials and processes to policymakers, standards bodies, and industry groups.

The creation of the Council follows the conclusion of Ecocem’s Science Symposium in Paris in November, where leading academics and industry stakeholders shared insights and updates on next generation low-carbon cement technologies and heard from construction industry partners on the large-scale deployment of low-carbon cement and concrete on live sites. Discussions on the industrialisation of low-carbon cement technologies identified the urgent need for more meaningful collaboration between science, policy, industry, and investors to close the gap between technical feasibility and market adoption.

Commenting on the announcement, Donal O’Riain, Founder and Managing Director of Ecocem, said: “If we take the right action now, the cement industry can decarbonise globally by 2040 – ten years ahead of schedule, without excessive cost, and without carbon capture. We can already deliver a 70% reduction in CO₂ without additional cost. What the industry needs is urgent alignment between research, regulation, policy, and practice, to move from demonstration to full-scale, global adoption.

Policy ambition drives progress and focusses resources and funding. Current policy supports only Carbon Capture, a single, expensive solution, rather than enabling a range of solutions which together can accelerate CO₂ reduction. The Materials Science Advisory Council will work to build awareness and provide the independent scientific insight needed to maximise the industry’s potential to achieve decarbonisation of the sector ten years ahead of schedule.”

Roberta Alfani, Director of Research & Innovation at Ecocem, added “Materials science has advanced to a point where the global decarbonisation of cement using alternative materials, and without major process investments is not just possible, it is a reality. But we need firm action today, and the purpose of the Materials Science Advisory Council is to provide science-based evidence and support continuous dialogue between leading academics, policy makers, industry partners, and funders.”

The establishment of the Materials Science Advisory Council marks the next step in Ecocem’s long-term commitment to innovation, scientific partnerships and delivering globally scalable solutions for cement decarbonisation. Over the past decade, Ecocem has invested more than €70 million in research and development, including its newly opened state of the art Research and Innovation Centre in France.

Other recent milestones include a new €50m ACT production plant in Dunkirk, a further €170 million investment to construct four new ACT production lines in France by 2030, and partnerships with leading construction firms such as Sisk, Cemex France, Bouygues Construction, Vinci Construction, CB Green, and the Titan Group.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/26112025/ecocem-creates-global-science-council-to-accelerate-low-carbon-cement-adoption/