Project description
CO2 mineralisation for net-zero construction materials
The construction sector is a major source of CO2 emissions, and current decarbonisation strategies are not sufficient to meet net-zero and climate targets. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the MP-CO2MCM project will develop an integrated modelling platform to optimise CO2 mineralisation in construction materials. It will combine thermodynamic modelling with COMSOL Multiphysics simulations to predict how CO2 can be transformed into stable mineral carbonates within cement-based systems. The platform will also assess the use of CO2-mineralised local waste materials to reduce reliance on traditional cement. The model is slated to enable faster evaluation of sustainable construction mixes. Overall, the project’s goal is to help cut emissions from construction while lowering costs.
Objective
Reduction of CO2 emissions from the construction sector is critical for achieving net-zero goals and limiting global temperature rise to below 1.5 °C by mid-century. Concrete, one of the world’s most widespread construction materials, relies heavily on Portland cement, which emits approximately 1 ton of CO2 per ton produced. With global cement demand projected to increase from 4.1 Gt in 2020 to 6.0 Gt by 2050, the need for advanced and effective mitigation strategies is becoming increasingly urgent. To address this, a variety of innovative carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) solutions have been developed. Among these solutions, CO2 mineralization stands out as a promising pathway, as it converts carbon dioxide into stable mineral carbonates that can be directly incorporated into construction materials. This approach not only reduces emissions but also enhances material performance.
To advance theoretical understanding of the mineralization process, this project proposes a novel integrated modelling platform that couples thermodynamic modelling with COMSOL Multiphysics simulations. This approach will enable reliable predictions of microstructural, mechanical, and durability properties during mineralization and will be extended to evaluate CO2-mineralized local waste materials for sustainable construction across Europe. After validation, the platform will directly benefit the cement and construction industry by reducing costs by up to 30–40% through minimized material testing and reduced reliance on trial-and-error experiments. At the same time, it will enable efficient utilization of captured CO2 in building materials, supporting net-zero construction. Furthermore, partial replacement of cement with locally available waste will reduce cement demand and mitigate disposal challenges by converting discarded materials into durable, value-added components for sustainable construction.
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.
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- natural sciences computer and information sciences computational science multiphysics
- engineering and technology environmental engineering carbon capture 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.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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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-MSCA-2025-PF
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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.
NE1 8ST NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
United Kingdom
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.