Project description
Turning concrete waste into low-carbon cement
Cement production is responsible for 8 % of global CO2 emissions, but its affordability and durability make it indispensable. Developing greener alternatives has proven difficult. In this context, the EIC-funded C2CA project offers a breakthrough by upcycling concrete waste into a high-quality, low-carbon cement substitute. Unlike conventional recycling, which downgrades concrete into low-grade aggregate, C2CA’s process produces premium cementitious materials that rival fly ash and slag (both being phased out). Having processed over 1 000 tonnes with its core technology, the project will prepare to scale up to a full industrial plant. The goal is to overcome technical and market challenges and prove that concrete can be both circular and climate-friendly.
Objective
C2CA, a spin-out of TU Delft, is transforming the construction industry by upcycling waste concrete into a low-carbon cement substitute, addressing the urgent challenge of reducing CO2 emissions from cement production. Cement accounts for 8% of global emissions, yet its low-cost, availability, performance and versatility make it essential and much desired. Reducing these emissions has been challenging—until now.
C2CA’s breakthrough process converts low-value waste concrete into high-quality, low-carbon materials, particularly a highly reactive cementitious binder. Unlike competitors who downcycle concrete into low-grade aggregates, C2CA produces premium materials to replace cement, delivering both environmental benefits and commercial viability. Our low-carbon cement competes on cost and quality with traditional alternatives like fly ash and slag, which are being phased out. While new options like calcined clay and mine tailings are costly or energy-intensive to produce and transport.
By 2024, C2CA has developed its core machines on an industrial scale, processing over 1,000 tons of waste concrete. Our materials have been validated in multiple pilot projects, proving technical and commercial viability. The next milestone is building our full-scale upcycling plant.
EIC funding is essential for advancing our project, which requires significant capital and has long lead times. Proving our plant’s reliability is crucial for commercial rollout, but we encounter technical, regulatory, and market risks that complicate investment, including energy price volatility and a preference for traditional materials. With the EIC support we can overcome the barriers, complete our flagship plant, demonstrate our technologies at an industrial scale, and build a comprehensive testing facility. This facility will streamline the process at a smaller scale to accelerate innovation and include a material testing lab to ensure the successful market introduction of recycled concrete.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering thermodynamic engineering
- engineering and technology materials engineering
- engineering and technology civil engineering architecture engineering sustainable architecture sustainable building
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2024-ACCELERATOR-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
3013 AK Rotterdam
Netherlands
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.