Carbon-Absorbing Cement Firm Gets Boost From $1.7 Million Investment

Vivi Gorman
Posted on Sunday 9th August 2009

London Technology Fund announced Aug. 7 that, along with other investors, has invested approximately $1.7 million in Novacem, a United Kingdom start-up company currently developing a cement that absorbs more carbon dioxide over its life-cycle than it emits.

Having spun off from Imperial Innovations Group plc, Novacem seeks to become a leader in transforming the cement industry from a massive emitter of CO2 to a CO2-negative trade.

More than 2 billion tons of conventional Portland cement is produced each year. The manufacturing sector accounts for five percent of global CO2 emissions. But Novacem’s cement uptakes more CO2 during its life than it discharges. The start-up company estimates that for each ton of conventional cement replaced by Novacem cement, approximately 0.75 tons of CO2 could be captured and stored in construction products.

Novacem’s cement is based on magnesium oxide, rather than conventional limestone, and special mineral additives. The manufacturing process causes minimal CO2 emissions and requires lower temperature processing. The cement hardens by absorbing atmospheric CO2.

Novacem’s chairman Stuart Evans said the funding will enable the company to grow into the largest supplier of carbon-negative cement for the construction industry. Novacem aims to complete a pilot plant by the end of the year.

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