A Strathclyde university spin-out is developing a process that turns construction waste into a low-carbon alternative to cement.
Concrete production and cement account for about 8% of global CO2 emissions and the new process is now moving from the lab into commercial application.
Dr Philip Salter, founder and chief executive of Ureaka, is creating “supplementary cementitious materials” (SCMs) from these waste streams.
These materials are designed to be used alongside traditional cement in concrete, reducing the amount of cement needed without requiring changes to existing manufacturing processes.
The project is supported by the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC) Spin Out Fund and is undergoing tests.
Ureaka is now seeking additional grant funding and preparing for a seed investment round to support team growth and further development.
It is also planning third-party testing of its material in a live manufacturing environment – a significant step towards market readiness.
Dr Salter, said: “Cement is one of the hardest industries to decarbonise because, even if you electrify production, a large share of emissions still comes from the chemical reactions involved.
“A key priority for us has been ensuring the process can plug into existing manufacturing systems. The supplementary cementitious material we’re developing is designed to work with current concrete production methods, so manufacturers don’t need to change how they operate, but can still reduce the carbon footprint of their products.”
Caroline Kewney, senior impact manager at IBioIC, added: “Construction materials are a significant contributor to global emissions, so there is a clear need for scalable alternatives that can support decarbonisation across the sector.
“This project demonstrates how industrial biotechnology can turn waste streams into valuable new materials, while also supporting carbon capture and more circular approaches to manufacturing. We’re excited to see what’s next for Ureaka as it progresses towards commercialisation.”
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